Cancer dad and family hold Happy Hat Day fundraiser

Happy Hat Day at the Wheatsheaf Shopping Centre

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Ken Russ, a terminally ill cancer patient, and members of his family held a fundraiser in the Wheatsheaf Shopping Centre yesterday (Friday 5 December) as part of their efforts to raise money and awareness for brain tumours.

Ken, 59, and his family took to the town centre for Happy Hat Day, a name which they coined themselves after launching the Happy Hat Selfie campaign on social media in November.

As part of Happy Hat Day, people were being encouraged to sport hats and fund raise for the cause, with schools and businesses in Rochdale and Halifax also getting involved.

Ken, who with wife Jayne is the former owner of Bar 5 on South Parade, said: “My main concern is raising awareness. I want to raise awareness for our children and for your children. That’s what it’s about. If we get awareness we’ll get the fundraising. One will follow the other.”

Ken was diagnosed with a grade four glioblastoma brain tumour six months ago and was shocked at the lack of funds being made available to research and treat the condition – so he decided to do something about it.

His children then set up the #HappyHatSelfie hashtag on Twitter as a way to raise money and awareness for sufferers of brain cancer across the UK.

Since his diagnosis, Ken and his family have held a number of charity events, collecting more than £10,000 for The Christie Charitable Fund’s dedicated brain cancer research division.

As part of the selfie campaign, the family are encouraging people to snap themselves in a hat, share it online with the #HappyHatSelfie hashtag, and then nominate friends to do the same.

They hope that everyone who gets involved will also make a donation using the text message collection service which accompanies their campaign.

Ken added: “There will be other things going on. It’s not going to be a one day wonder. Today is not the end of this, it’s the beginning.”

Conditions like Ken’s are not uncommon in the UK, with nearly 10,000 people being diagnosed with brain cancer in 2011 alone.

Ken explained that less than 3% of the money used in researching cancer is assigned to tackling brain tumours, meaning treatment is lacking in comparison to other forms of the disease.

His daughter, Stevie, 32, said: “The research is 10 years behind and unfortunately they only get a small percentage of the research money. It’s one of the most common cancers in children. I can’t believe it’s so far behind.”

To make a donation, text “KHHS60 £2/£5/£10” to 70070. E.g. KHHS60 £5. Alternatively, visit www.justgiving.com/HappyHatSelfie