Going the extra mile: Southmead Neuro Oncology team complete challenge for Brain Tumour Support

14 October 2025 | Fundraising, News, Support, Supporters

On Saturday 4th October, the Southmead Hospital Neuro Oncology team took on a gruelling fitness challenge to raise vital funds for Brain Tumour Support. 

The team of 22, including family and friends, completed a day-long relay marathon by bike, rowing machine and erg ski at the CrossFit BS East gym in Warmley, Bristol. In total the team covered an impressive 126km – the equivalent of nearly 80 miles – raising over £1,400 for the charity’s Early Intervention Programme. 

The fundraising is part of the Southmead Neuro Team Champion Fund for Brain Tumour Support, and will help provide immediate support for families given a brain tumour diagnosis at Southmead Hospital. Following a successful pilot scheme, Brain Tumour Support’s Early Intervention Programme is a permanent part of the clinical pathway at Southmead Hospital. The partnership means that all patients are automatically referred to Brain Tumour Support at the point of diagnosis, providing support and information for patients and their families. 

Sarah Lucas, Head of Fundraising and Operations at Brain Tumour Support said: “The Southmead team’s fitness challenge is a wonderful example of individuals going the extra mile to help fund our vital service. Working closely with our clinical and brain tumour communities, we know that support at the earliest possible stage of diagnosis has the greatest impact for individuals and their families. 

“Our Early Intervention Programme at Southmead Hospital offers emotional and practical support in the early and often overwhelming days of diagnosis, including welfare and benefit guidance, individual and family counselling, one-to-one, face-to-face and telephone support. We also offer online and in-person support groups held at the hospital. This programme is only made possible through the support of our fundraising community and we’d like to thank Neil and Elly from the neuro oncology team and all the volunteers who gave up their time to take part. A special thank you also goes to CrossFit BS East for the use of the gym space for this challenge.” 

Mr Neil Barua, Consultant Neuro Surgeon, North Bristol NHS Trust said: “The Early Intervention Programme has been a huge success. Patients contact Brain Tumour Support for emotional support, family guidance, counselling and financial advice. It has made a big difference to patients and following the pilot scheme, 87% told us they felt less alone. The programme also has a positive impact on the clinical team, with a 50% reduction in calls to the nursing team for emotional support. On behalf of Elly, myself and the Neuro Oncology team, thank you to everyone who supported this fundraising event.” 

Read more about the Southmead Neuro Team Champion Fund here  – and if you’d like to contribute to their fundraising challenge there’s still time to donate.