David Taylor lost his eldest daughter, Sue, aged 42, just weeks after her diagnosis with a glioblastoma, leaving two young children.

David turned the devastation of losing Sue into a positive force by setting up a charity to raise funds for research into treatments and cures for brain tumours.

The charity – called In Sue’s Name – was set up in 2014 and for the past ten years, David – who is based in Winchmore Hill – has been tirelessly raising awareness and funds. Earlier this year, the total reached £500,000, but David aims to get to £1m by the end of 2027.

“Sue was a warm, vibrant person, a great mum and a tenacious charity fundraiser; she was the apple of my eye,” says David, “so losing her was terrible.”

“If we can help prevent other families from experiencing the grief we endured, we have to do so. Brain tumours are merciless, but treatments and cures are on the horizon, and the funds we raise can accelerate their development. If we can do that, Sue’s death won’t have been in vain.”

All monies raised fund a researcher at Queen Mary University of London, and provide memorial plaques to those who have succumbed to this disease.

Every month sees small breakthroughs in the fight to contain brain cancers but with over 120 different types of tumours already identified, there’s still so much to be done.

16,000 people are diagnosed with a brain tumour in the UK every year and every one of those has a seismic impact on families and friends.

To mark the charity’s 10^th anniversary, and to boost the funds further, David has plans to do a parachute jump this autumn. At the age of 82, it’s a daunting prospect, but nothing will deter David from achieving his goals.

How you can help

Despite being a small charity, In Sue’s Name constantly strives to engage with people and companies in the community, so here are a few ways you can help them to reach their target:

1. Attend fundraising events, including themed dinners, quizzes and golf days (check insuesname.org.uk/events for details);
2. Take part in one of their challenge events such as sky diving or wing walking!
3. Organise your own fundraising events
4. Get your company to adopt In Sue’s Name as their nominated charity partner, and discover how this benefits the whole organisation (insuesname.org.uk/corporate )
5. Make a small monthly donation ( insuesname.org.uk/donate )
6. Leave a legacy