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March marks Brain Tumour Awareness Month, a time dedicated to shining a light on the challenges faced by those diagnosed with brain tumours and advocating for kinder, more effective treatments. One of the most inspiring initiatives during this month is Flat Cap Friday, a celebration of resilience, solidarity, and hope within the brain tumour community.
Organised by Yorkshire’s Brain Tumour Charity (YBTC), Flat Cap Friday is a fun yet powerful campaign that encourages people to don a flat cap and share their support for those affected by brain tumours. This iconic Yorkshire headwear has become a symbol of strength and unity, helping to raise both awareness and vital funds for brain tumour research and patient support.
Celebrities Standing in Solidarity
This year, YBTC has been privileged to receive incredible support from a host of celebrities who have joined the movement by sharing flat cap selfies on social media. Their participation has significantly amplified awareness, ensuring that the urgent need for kinder brain tumour treatments reaches a wider audience. Some of the well-known sports stars, TV personalities and comedy legends and musicians who have lent their support include:
Susan Cookson, Gareth Gates, Lord (Beefy) Botham,Paula Shaw, Paul and Jojo Fox, Nicola Wheeler, Johnny McPherson, Rebecca Sarker, Jeff Horley, Lesley Dunlop, John Henshaw, James Quinn, Peter Wight, Chris Chittell, Ben Kay MBE, Phil Mealey, Tony Audenshaw, Craig Cash, Leigh Francis and Dominic Matteo.
Their involvement has been instrumental in drawing attention to the cause, demonstrating that brain tumour awareness is an issue that deserves national recognition and urgent action.
Dominic Matteo Shares His Brain Tumour Journey
Former footballer Dominic Matteo has been open about his experience with a brain tumour and has shared his journey with YBTC to help raise awareness. His dedication to supporting others facing similar challenges is truly inspiring.
“If I can help one person, even just one person a year, then it’s all worth it,” he says. “That means more to me than anything else.”
Matteo’s message resonates with those who have faced the difficulties of a brain tumour diagnosis. He recently recalled a moment that gave him hope:
“I was at Elland Road a few weeks back, and as I was walking through, a guy pulled me aside. He said, ‘I had a brain tumour 25 years ago, and I’m doing great.’ That gave me such a lift. Just hearing a story like that gives you hope.”
His words highlight the importance of raising awareness, supporting research, and ensuring that those affected by brain tumours receive the best possible care and assistance.
Celebrating Flat Cap Friday at Wetherby Racecourse
To mark Flat Cap Friday, on the 21st of March, 34 supporters of YBTC gathered at Wetherby Racecourse for a special celebration. Together, they walked the course, enjoyed a behind-the-scenes tour of the weighing room, and even discovered how hurdles are made—all while proudly wearing their flat caps. This event was a fantastic opportunity to meet both long-term and first-time supporters, fostering a strong sense of community and connection among those dedicated to raising awareness and funding for brain tumour research.
Together this Flat Cap Friday, we raised £437.50! Special thanks as always go to the team at Wetherby Racecourse, to Michelle, Danielle and John Jo for organising this wonderful annual event!
Local Businesses Getting Involved
Flat Cap Friday has also seen wonderful support from local businesses. Among them, Charlotte Waite’s colleagues at Leeds Building Society donned their flat caps to raise awareness. Charlotte has been an active volunteer, helping to raise funds for Yorkshire’s Brain Tumour Charity through initiatives such as collecting at the Great Yorkshire Show and coordinating events with local digital creators to further amplify awareness. She will also be collecting at our “Wear a Hat Day” celebration at Wetherby Racecourse on March 28th!
Charlotte shared the inspiration behind her dedication to YBTC:
“YBTC have a really interesting approach to both offering local support really strongly and focusing on what's going on nearby that they can make a difference with. But at the same time, through local seed funding, they're funding research that can then go on to prove concepts that could affect the world.”
“To be able to see YBTC helping as many of these people as possible, that's important. I didn't really give brain tumours much thought until my own family found out first-hand how difficult they can be—not just medically, but also emotionally, practically, financially. Day-to-day life with a brain tumour can be incredibly different from how it was before. So I think the work that YBTC does both to help support people with brain tumours now and to research so they affect fewer people less badly in the future, is a really important thing to do, and a really rewarding use of time.”
The Need for Kinder Treatments
Brain tumours remain one of the deadliest forms of cancer, with limited treatment options and often devastating side effects. Research funding for brain tumours continues to lag behind that of other cancers, making initiatives like Flat Cap Friday essential in pushing for change. Yorkshire’s Brain Tumour Charity is dedicated to funding research that prioritises kinder treatments, ensuring that those diagnosed can have better outcomes and an improved quality of life.
How You Can Get Involved
Flat Cap Friday is more than just a day—it’s a movement that anyone can take part in. Whether you choose to wear a flat cap, post a selfie on social media, or donate to YBTC, every action contributes to the fight against brain tumours. Here’s how you can help:
Wear a Flat Cap – Show your support by donning a flat cap and sharing a selfie using the hashtag #FlatCapFriday.
Spread Awareness – Share stories, facts, and messages of support to educate others about brain tumours.
Donate – Support Yorkshire’s Brain Tumour Charity in funding life-changing research and support services.
Encourage Others – Get your friends, family, and colleagues involved in the campaign.
A Future Full of Hope
Flat Cap Friday is a testament to the resilience and strength of the brain tumour community. With each shared selfie, every donation, and every conversation sparked, we move closer to a future where kinder, more effective treatments are the norm. Yorkshire’s Brain Tumour Charity is proud to stand alongside patients, families, and supporters in this vital fight.
Let’s keep raising awareness, showing support, and pushing for change—one flat cap at a time.
Join us this Flat Cap Friday and be part of a movement that makes a difference!
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