Former Hemel Hempstead teacher to pay tribute to late grand-daughter through Wear a Hat Day fundraiser

A former teacher from Hemel Hempstead is paying tribute to her late granddaughter by joining in Brain Tumour Research’s annual charity fundraiser.

Jacky Atkins, who taught at the Gade Valley Primary School for 40 years, is preparing to support the charity’s Wear a Hat Day fundraiser, alongside her fellow ukulele players.

The 73-year-old’s granddaughter Holly died from a brain tumour over six years ago, aged 11.

Holly Atkins Fooks began suffering from migraines, pain behind her eyes, nausea and vomiting in July 2014.

Despite a scan revealing an abnormality on her brain, it was not until March 2016 she was diagnosed with a brain tumour.

She underwent two debulking surgeries, six weeks of radiotherapy and three courses of chemotherapy but the tumour continued to grow.

By the time she died in September 2017, Holly was blind and had been bedbound for several months.

Jacky said: “Holly’s heart fought to stay beating. It was strong and young, but the evil forces of the brain tumour finally overcame her body and her heart stopped. It was the saddest day of my life.

“She was the sweetest, most beautiful girl, so loving and caring, and what she went through was awful.”

Jacky plays in two ukulele groups, the Last of the Summer Ukuleles based in Bedfordshire and the UkeRythmics based in Hertfordshire, which are supporting the event by donning hats during performances and collecting charity donations.

Having supported Wear A Hat Day since Holly’s death, the musician has already raised enough money to sponsor a day of research at one of the charity’s four Centres of Excellence, each day costing £2,740. She is now working towards sponsoring another day.

She said: “Research is the only way they’re going to find a cure. I hope our support helps prevent other families from having to go through what we did.”

Wear A Hat Day asks people to don their favourite hats, hold hat-themed events and make donations to help find a cure for brain tumours. It has raised more than £2 million since being launched in 2010 and will take place this year on Thursday 28 March.

The Last of the Summer Ukuleles will celebrate it a day early with a performance at the Anchor Pub in Tilsworth, Bedfordshire, from midday on Wednesday March 27.

Charlie Allsebrook, community development manager for Brain Tumour Research, said: “Holly’s tragic story is a stark reminder of the indiscriminate nature of brain tumours, which can affect anyone at any time. They kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer, yet just one per cent of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to brain tumours since records began in 2002.

“We’re determined to change this but we can’t do it alone. We’re really grateful for the support of Jacky and her fellow ukulele players and we wish the Last of the Summer Ukuleles every success with their upcoming Wear A Hat Day fundraiser. Together we will find a cure.”

The charity funds research at dedicated centres in the UK while campaigning for more investment into brain tumours to speed up new treatments and ultimately find a cure.

Visit the charity fundraiser page to register for Wear a Hat Day.