Things are about to change...

Today RoseBuddies (that's us!) made a very important step. We are to become an Umbrella Group with the Samantha Dickson Brain Tumour Trust, the UK's largest brain tumour research charity.

What is an SDBTT umbrella group?

Regular fundraisers who are either raising money in memory of a loved one, or who are doing so for someone living with a brain tumour, can decide to become an SDBTT umbrella group. This allows the group to raise funds using the name of their loved one but under the 'umbrella' of the Charity. Once a significant sum has been raised we offer each group the opportunity to say how they would like this money spent, whether this be on a research project or in the area of patient support. Umbrella Groups can also use the Trust's registered Charity Number for fundraising purposes.

What does this mean for RoseBuddies?

The first thing it will mean is that we will be known as 'SDBTT RoseBuddies'. And the next big thing that will happen is our website will have a complete overhaul and our new logo will be unveiled!

In terms of fundraising, becoming an umbrella group will allow us the opportunity to decide exactly where the money we and our supporters raise will be spent. For example, we can decide whether we would like our funds to go towards research projects or patient support. As we are just in the process of changing to an umbrella group we are still discussing what we feel is most important to us but whatever we decide we will keep you all informed every step of the way!

RoseBuddies will also be able to use the SDBTT Registered Charity Number and we will be able to actively encourage people to fundraise on our behalf.

Another part of the change will be the launch of our information website, Brain Tumour (BT) Buddies, for high grade brain tumour patients, families and caregivers. This is something I have been working on for a few months now and we have high hopes that it will become an important resource for those dealing with this terrible disease.

I am sure there will be many other changes over the coming weeks and months which we will do our best to keep you up to date with.

It seems only right on such a big day for us that we remember the reason we began fundraising in the first place. Rose is never far from my thoughts and is a constant source of inspiration in all the work I do for both RoseBuddies and the information website.

Whilst I wish that circumstances were different and that we had never had a reason to start RoseBuddies, I am glad we did and very proud of all we have acheived in Rose's memory.

As many of you are aware I have not been in the best of health for sometime now and after leaving hospital in December 2006 I felt there was very little for me to keep fighting for. When Andrew suggested we take part in the BritBallRun in Rose's memory an important chapter in my life began.

Knowing that we could help to maybe make a difference to those travelling the brain tumour road is very important to me and I hope that we are able to keep RoseBuddies and Brain Tumour Buddies going for many years to come.

For Rose XxX

All the best,

Natalya
RoseBuddies
Email: fundraising@rosemcgill.co.uk
Website: www.rosemcgill.co.uk