A special Bollywood night featuring Indian cuisine and entertainment has raised funds for a charity based in Pinner to help find a cure for brain tumours.
Held at the Langley Suite in Watford, supporters of The William Low Trust attended the event this past weekend on Saturday 26th November. Attendees enjoyed a great range of Indian food with entertainment provided by Enviouz and We Strictly Entertain DJs. In addition, guests were treated to performances by UK Bollywood champion dancers from Sapnay, a Bollywood Dance School based in Harrow.
The Bollywood-themed event raised much needed funds for The William Low Trust, a Member Charity of Brain Tumour Research.
Helen Forbes-Low, mum to William Low, said: “We had great fun learning how to wear a sari, listening to Bollywood music and learning some dance moves – although mine need a lot of practice! And the support given and food prepared by the Langley were first-class.
“Going for a Bollywood-themed event seemed fitting because William particularly enjoyed Indian food – his favourite was a prawn korma with naan bread. We always try to do events that link to him in some way.
“I want to thank everybody involved, but especially our good friends from the community and the professionals who guided and advised us on putting on this event, as well as all our lovely supporters who came along to have fun and raise funds, not forgetting The William Low Trust committee who did so much to organise such a wonderful evening.”
The William Low Trust was set up by William’s family and some of their friends and funds a PhD researcher at the Brain Tumour Research charity’s Centre of Excellence at Queen Mary University of London.
William died six weeks before his 18th birthday in August 2017 from an aggressive medulloblastoma brain tumour – the most common high-grade brain tumour in children. He was just five when he was first diagnosed after complaining of head, neck and leg aches that made him sick and tired.
William underwent surgery and gruelling radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatment which eventually stabilised him. However, at the age of 13, a scan revealed the brain tumour was back and William endured further surgery, chemo and radiotherapy, as well as a stem cell transplant.
Three years later, when new tumours were found in William’s spinal cord, treatment options were severely limited, but his family exhaustively investigated every possible drug trial available in a desperate attempt to find something appropriate. Sadly, nothing was suitable and William tragically passed away.
Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer, yet historically just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease.
Helen added: “We launched The William Low Trust to help bring an end to the devastating impact of brain tumours on patients and their families. We hope that William’s legacy helps bring forward the day when all those diagnosed with a brain tumour, go on to survive, which is why it’s vital to fund research for improved treatments and ultimately a cure.
Sue Farrington Smith MBE, chief executive at Brain Tumour Research said: “William’s story reminds us that brain tumours are indiscriminate and can affect anyone at any age. Just 12% of patients survive beyond five years compared with an average of 50% across all cancers.
“We are really grateful to The William Low Trust for its invaluable support of the work being conducted at our Centre of Excellence at Queen Mary University of London to progress research into brain tumours and improve the outcome for patients who are forced to fight this awful disease.”
To make a donation to the William Low Trust go to www.thewilliamlowtrust.co.uk/support-us
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