Ruby loses both grandadsand raises cash for charity

Ruby Knapp, 16, said the death of her paternal grandfather John Knapp followed three weeks later by the death of her maternal grandfather Michael Weekes was heartbreaking. “I lost my granddads within one month of each other just before Christmas last year; both died of brain tumours. One of my granddads (John) passed away from a cancerous brain tumour caused as a secondary cancer from a tumour in his lungs. My other grandad (Michael) was not only a grandad but a dad and my hero. He fought so bravely for six years. There was no treatment available as his tumour was too large to remove.”

Ruby said loosing her loved ones inspired her to do something to help with vital research. “Every day 25 people are diagnosed with primary brain tumours but there is no UK wide strategy for the treatment of, or research into, brain cancer. Less than one per cent of government funding of cancer research goes to brain tumours. Hence I am trying to raise as much money as I can for the Brain Tumour Trust.”

To date Ruby has raised £3,000 from a parachute jump and had her hair shaved off at Sidley Street barbers where she works on a Saturday. Thanks to people’s generosity she doubled her target. “My target was £1,000 but I raised over £2,000. A big thank you to all my friends, family, and local businesses in Bexhill for helping me reach this target, and Sidley Street barbers for helping raise over £300, the Property Cafe who sponsored £250 and the Waterfront who kindly donated £200.”