Doncaster’s Castle Park will support brain tumour charity fundraiser during England Under 19s match

York-based Ian, was inspired to start fundraising after the passing of his wife Janis Connell.

Ian describes Janis as ‘his wife, best friend and forever soulmate’ and started The Janis Connell Fund in 2023 in her memory.

Ian said: “I lost my dear wife 18 months ago to a glioblastoma brain tumour for which no cure exists anywhere in the world. Last year I decided to raise money to support the scientists who are working on trying to find a cure. I established a target out raising £100,000 over a 3-5 year period.

“My current fundraising stands at £29,000 due to the incredible generosity of people supporting my various projects. Doncaster Knights have generously allowed us to hold a collection and for all cash raised to go to the ‘Janis Connell Fund’ at The Brain Tumour Charity"

“I am personally grateful to the Knights and especially to their President and Chairman for suggesting this idea and allowing us to make this appeal today.

“Janis and I have attended Castle Park many time during the last 10 years and formed a firm friendship with Steve, Tony and their families, a clear demonstration of the human values of Rugby and the respect that we promote towards each other after the final whistle has blown.

“If you feel able to support the collection today, you will be supporting another very good cause and helping our future generations.”

Ian has already raised a tremendous £22,000 for the charity through a charity dinner in November 2023 has and been invited by the grounds, through his strong sporting connections, to use this game as an opportunity to raise awareness for The Charity and raise funds.

https://www.thebraintumourcharity.org/get-involved/our-supporter-groups/supporter-groups/groups/the-janis-connell-fund/

Ian is aiming to raise £5,000 for The Brain Tumour Charity throughout the day to be added to his already successful JustGiving page:

https://www.justgiving.com/page/ian-connell-1699346939324

Lily Finlay, Community Fundraiser for the brain tumour charity, said: “We are extremely grateful for all the efforts made by our fantastic fundraisers and wish them all the very best.

“Brain tumours are the biggest cancer killer of the under 40s and, unlike other cancers, survival rates have not improved over the last 40 years.

“We are leading the way in changing this and truly fighting brain tumours on all fronts through our work.

“It’s through the efforts of people like Ian that we can change these shocking statistics in the future and bring hope to the thousands of people who are diagnosed with a brain tumour every year.”

The Brain Tumour Charity is the UK’s largest dedicated brain tumour charity, committed to fighting brain tumours on all fronts.

They fund pioneering research to increase survival and improve treatment options as well as raising awareness of the symptoms and effects of brain tumours to bring about earlier diagnosis.

The Charity also provides support for everyone affected so that they can live as full a life as possible, with the best quality of life.

Find out more: https://www.thebraintumourcharity.org/