A FATHER-of-three who lost his wife to brain cancer has launched a charity to find a cure for the disease.
Colin Speirs wants to raise at least �30,000 a year to fund PhD research into the cause of glioblastoma multiforme – an incurable brain tumour that killed his 40-year-old wife in just 18 months.
Mr Speirs, of Keswick Close, Beeston, launched the Headcase cancer trust and registered the charity with the Charity Commission and HM Revenue & Customs.
"I don't see this as a small charity to raise a few hundred pounds," he said.
"I want it to be something we can focus on in Nottingham, this is a big city."
Mr Speirs' wife Becky was diagnosed with the aggressive brain tumour in May 2009.
She had surgery, but not all the tumour could be removed and it increased in size from a grape to an orange in two months.
"When this first happened we hadn't heard of this type of tumour," said Mr Speirs.
"There's only a handful of people who survive past five years.
"What a lot of people don't realise is it's the most common form of adult primary brain tumour.
"They don't know what starts it, but they can slow it.
"These tumours are vicious. Whatever you do to try and kill them they get round it.
"I want to fund research on what starts it and how to stop it. I want to focus on the cause and the cure.
"There is not enough research into adult brain tumours, these kill about 1,000 people a year."
Mr Speirs has already raised �14,000 for Brain Tumour Research since his wife's death by cycling through the Pyrenees.
The couple's children, Jake, 6, Arran, 10, and Eloise, 12, have helped too, fundraising at school.
Next year Mr Speirs plans to ride the entire Pyrenees – which he said was the equivalent to riding up and down Mount Everest twice – in a week to raise �100,000.
He has also organised a charity ball at the Belfry Hotel, with patron and ex-England cricketer Ronnie Irani and Nottingham Forest goal keeper Lee Camp.
England cricketer Alex Tudor and Broxtowe MP Anna Soubry will also be at the event.
It is on February 5. Tickets cost �45 and will include a three course meal and performance by a live band.
Headcase has been launched by Mr Speirs along with Andy Wilson, who is chairman of the charity, and Sue Vasey, who is trustee and Becky's best friend.
For more information and tickets e-mail col@headcase.org.uk or call 07957423389.
The charity's website www.headcase.org.uk will be launched next week.
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