Aberdeen Calendar Girls Bare All for Brain Tumours at HMT
Three years ago, when Carolyn Pierpont’s partner, Mark Toshney was diagnosed with Oligodendroglioma - Astrocytoma Grade 2/3, a form of brain cancer, she wanted to do all she could to help and so set out with two objectives. They are, raising awareness of the facts such as secondary brain tumours and tumours lower than a Grade 4 are not registered into the cancer register, and raising awareness that this form of cancer only receives 1% of the cancer research fund which is not enough.
As part of Carolyn’s fundraising efforts, she has undertaken a variety of activities, including running the London marathon, organising quiz nights and fashion shows, climbing Ben Nevis and has even lobbied in Parliament twice. Carolyn then decided to commission her first calendar in 2011, encouraging some of her girlfriends who ironically been affected by brain tumours to feature in tasteful, nude shots in aid of her cause - an umbrella organisation under the national charity, Brain Tumour UK. This was a great success, and is now planning her third calendar, with more family and friends of those affected by brain tumours volunteering as models than ever before. To build on this success, Carolyn has decided to gain as much ‘exposure’ as possible - leading to her taking over HMT’s new LED screens.
In partnership with AVC Media Enterprises and LED Screen Advertising, HMT has recently erected two large LED screens which are new advertising platforms for the city. In support of Bare All for Brain Tumours, AVC has agreed to donate £100 to the charity for every company which takes an advertising slot over the summer.
Carolyn comments on her hopes for this new fundraising initiative, “I am really quite excited to see our images up on one of Aberdeen’s most iconic buildings. Whilst we know it will encourage a few different reactions, at the end of the day it is for a very good cause, and the main reason we are doing it is for the much needed research of brain tumours. I found out when I started this that brain tumour research is grossly underfunded, and in 2009, brain tumour research received £1million government funding towards research in comparison to more recognised cancers receiving £14 million.
“We are here to raise awareness of the requirement for funding - anything which can help to work towards finding a cure, or making life better for those affected is our aim. We are confident that we can certainly attract attention this way, and we are delighted to have AVC support us in what we are doing.”
Spencer Buchan, MD of AVC Media Enterprises continues, “We are delighted to give our full support to Carolyn in this venture for brain tumour research. These new advertising platforms will certainly cause a reaction, but its understanding that reaction and realising what Carolyn is here to do - raise money for a fantastic cause. We hope that the people of Aberdeen will come forward and support her in everything she is doing.”
Tomasz Los, Executive Director of LSA said, “We are extremely pleased to support such a good cause as raising money for "Bare All for Brain Tumours". By using the LED screens - the newest advertising technology, Carolyn's message will reach the wider audience much more effectively than using any other advertising platform. We hope she will meet her target and help others to combat cancer."
Carolyn has raised over £35k since 2010, and hopes to reach a target of £50k by the end of the year. This money will go towards a specific project looking into molecular investigations for ALL Brain Tumour patients across Scotland post surgery.
Carolyn is currently co-ordinating a Burns ball in January for which she is looking for corporate sponsors. To find out more, or to donate to her cause visit www.bareallforbraintumours.com or call 07855 436 303.
For more information on advertising on HMT’s LED Screens contact George Thomson on 07788 743887
