ASTRO BRAIN TUMOUR FUND
ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED
5[th] APRIL 2026
ASTRO BRAIN TUMOUR FUND
Legal and Administrative Information
| Registered Charity Number | 1133561 |
|---|---|
| Trustees | Mrs M Burton |
| Mrs L Rickford | |
| Mr R Burton | |
| Ms A Scrutton | |
| Mr N Blatherwick | |
| Mrs D. Emerton | |
| Mrs K. Phillips | |
| Independent Examiner | A Borland F.C.A. |
| 75 Newnham Street | |
| Ely | |
| Cambs | |
| CB7 4PQ | |
| Bankers | Barclays Bank |
| Correspondence address | 15 Eastgate |
| Holme Next the Sea | |
| Hunstanton | |
| Norfolk | |
| PE36 6LL |
ASTRO BRAIN TUMOUR FUND
Annual Report For the Year ended 5[th] April 2026
Astro Brain Tumour Fund (ABTF) has continued to raise money for research into low-grade glioma (LGG) brain tumours. These malignant, slow-growing, progressive group of tumours cause inevitable life-changing and lifelimiting physical and psychological symptoms. They may also become higher grade (faster growing) over time.
Without the fund-raising efforts of patients, their families, the trustees, and other supporters, meeting the objectives of the charity would not be possible.
Research News
As well as receiving reports from ongoing research that the charity is supporting, the trustees actively seek out information on new research into low-grade brain tumours. The thrust of much research is into higher grade tumours so it can be hard to find research initiatives that fit our brief. Although the trustees are not scientists, we screen potential projects to ensure that work we support is focussed on things that will move knowledge and/or treatments forward and have scientific rigour. One outcome that we look for is the intention to publish results of the research in accredited scientific journals as this necessitates strong scientific method in the way the research is organised, performed, recorded, and analysed.
The trustees are providing full funding for a PHD student working on a research projects supervised by Prof. Stephen J. Price, BSc MBBS (Hons) PhD FRCS (Neuro Surg.) at Cambridge Biomedical Campus. This project, which commenced in January 2023, is studying higher cognitive functions and return to work in low grade gliomas. Full funding has also been obtained for the research project headed by Mr Richard Mair, also at Cambridge, titled “Understanding Low-Grade Glioma to treat treatments to stop its Progression”. This project commenced in late April 2025. The charity is also funding “Focused Ultrasound to Deliver Drug Combinations to LGGs” which commenced in August 2025 and is headed by Dr Sophie Morse, Imperial College, London.
Projects funded in 2024/25/26:
Higher Cognitive Functions & Return to Work in Low Grade Glioma
Jasmine (PhD student) has now submitted her first-year paper to the Journal of Neuro-Oncology and we are excited to report that it has been approved. Here is a link to the paper.
Tumour Progression from low to high grade commenced in April 2025 – focusing on exploring how the neuro-metabolic microenvironment affects low grade to high grade in IDH mutant LGG. We have been supplied with a short statement as follows:
“Tara (PhD student) is progressing well and has manged to successfully culture and characterise multiple cell lines from patients with IDH mutant glioma (previously very difficult and an important milestone in her PhD). This now enables us to continue the mechanistic study of transformation through direct cellular perturbation. We will be sure to provide formal written update around the 1-year mark of Tara’s studentship starting ”.
The above projects are taking place in Cambridge, under the supervision of Prof Stephen Price and Mr Richard Mair We are also hopeful that a further project under the supervision of Richard Mair, “Liquid Biopsy”, will take place in the not-too-distant future.
Focused Ultrasound to Deliver Drug Combinations to LGGs
This project headed by Dr Sophie Morse at Imperial College London, is ongoing. The exciting 3-year project is looking at delivering promising drugs to treat different types of LGGs effectively. Sophie and PhD student Rishi report:
“Our lab is building realistic models that mimic how low-grade glioma tumours behave in the human brain. One of the biggest challenges in treating brain tumours is getting medicines to where they are needed, because the brain has a natural
protective barrier that blocks many drugs. By recreating this barrier and the surrounding brain environment in
the lab, we can safely and quickly see how well different treatments are able to reach tumour cells to evaluate which ones would be most effective.
Our three-dimensional tumour models reflect the diversity seen in patients’ tumours, to include the most important genetic differences found in these cancers. This allows us to test treatments in a way that better represents disease, rather than relying on simpler systems that fail to predict what happens in real patients. These models will allow us to test a diverse range of drugs for different tumour types and test how ultrasound can enhance drug delivery to brain tumours.”
Thanks to the hard work of our supporters, ABTF is fully funding Phase 1 of the project and a portion of Phase 2. We have been working hard to obtain more funding for Phase 2 and are very happy to report that have recently received a £50,000 grant from The Brothers Trust which will be a huge help with this funding.
Paediatric LGG research at QMUL
ABTF funded Prof Denise Sheer’s work for many years. Some ABTF trustees plus supporters visited Denise at The Blizard Institute in April 2026 where we learnt more about the work that Denise and her team have been undertaking.
All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) On Brain Tumours, The Brain Tumour Consortium & The National Insitute For Health & Care Research (NIHR)
Trustee Dawn attended the APPG on 10[th] February. The Brain Tumour Consortium leads attended in order to explain more about how this will help research and trials for brain tumour patients. ABTF submitted questions concerning LGG research. We understand in the current ‘work packages ‘, one research project focuses on paediatric LGGs – others do not appear to relate directly to adult LGG research projects, although we were reassured LGGs will ‘not be forgotten’. We are continuing to pursue this with the consortium and have just submitted further written questions.
In December 2025 there were various announcements that the NIHR had ‘invested’ £13.7m in brain tumour research through the consortium. Thanks to one of our supporters, who undertook a Freedom of Information Act request, we now learn (as of 11th March), only £50,000 has actually been released to the consortium to date. ABTF have raised this with the APPG chair on brain tumours who has very helpfully written to the NIHR.
The Cancer Vaccine Launch Pad (CVLP)
ABTF have been campaigning for over 2 years for brain cancer vaccines to be included in the launchpad. We have met with the clinical lead and discussed this with the consortium. Both appear supportive to expand to include brain cancer vaccines and we are continuing to press for this and are following up with further input to possible interested parties.
Attendance at LGG Patient Advocacy Group
The group are looking to identify ways to improve care, research development and innovation for LGG patients. Trustee Dawn, a member of the group, attended a meeting on 19[th] February and presented the results of a questionnaire – many thanks to those patients/family members who completed this. As always, your help is much appreciated.
Fundraising and Donations
The trustees are enormously grateful to everyone who has supported the charity either with donations or holding fundraising events.
Our biggest fundraiser, the Norfolk Family Walk, was held at Holkham Hall, North Norfolk on Sunday 21[st] September 2025. Attendance figures were down this year but adults, children and dogs walked one, three, six or ten miles enjoyed the walk in the beautiful parkland.
It was lovely to see so many walkers who return every year to meet up with family and friends, supporting loved ones with brain tumours or remembering those who have sadly passed away from this cruel disease. Not forgetting, of course, brain tumour patients themselves walking with their families. Grateful thanks go to Adrian Flux Insurance Services who once again generously sponsored all the expenses of the event and the owner of Holkham Hall allowing us to use the park and facilities free of charge. The 2026 walk is scheduled to take place on Sunday, 20[th] September.
We have a selection of fundraising events happening in the near future. We have also received some very generous donations, including, as previously reported, a grant of £50,000 from The Brothers Trust, aimed at the research at the Imperial.
NICE, Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) & Vorasidenib
We are delighted to be able to report to you that NICE and the SMC have now approved vorasidenib for use in the NHS for prescribing to low-grade glioma (LGG) grade 2 patients with IDH1/2 mutations, who have had surgery but no other treatments.
Since 2023, Astro Brain Tumour Fund (ABTF) has been involved in campaigning for the drug to be made available to eligible patients. Whilst waiting for the drug to go through the regularity process we supported a family campaigning for an early access, named patient programme. We started a petition (which obtained nearly 13,000 signatures), engaged in lengthy correspondence, made strenuous representations to the suppliers of the drug and supported a patient who raised the matter at the APPG on brain tumours.
After much campaigning, in April 2024, an early access, named patient programme opened in the UK, allowing some patients to access the drug. Sincere thanks to our supporters who helped us during that campaign and we also extend grateful thanks to all those MPs who, through their membership of the APPG, were unwavering in their support, including Daisy Cooper, Dame Siobhain McDonagh and John McDonnell.
Following regularity approval, ABTF, alongside other brain tumour charities, acted as “patient group experts”, making representations that were considered at two NICE committee meetings. We also nominated a “patient expert” who spoke eloquently and passionately of his experiences of living with an LGG. A similar process was also carried through for the SMC approval. Our submissions were very powerful because patients and family members took the time to give us their stories. Everyone who took the trouble to do this played a significant part in the eventual approvals and we would like to say a huge thank you to each of you!
We are aware that a significant number of LGG patients (including some who submitted their stories) do not fit within the present eligibility criteria of vorasidenib. We are hopeful that this will change and ABTF will continue to do all we can to ensure more patients can gain access in the future.
Support
The Facebook Astro Brain Tumour Fund Low Grade Glioma Support Group continues to grow steadily and has reached over 600 in number. There are members from all parts of the planet including the UK, the United States, Mexico, Poland, South Africa, the Middle and the Far East, and so many more…a really widespread community. The members are so supportive of each other and are always keen to share experiences, tips, recommendations, support, pool their knowledge and share, as well as their fears, their hopes and celebrations. As is often mentioned by members themselves, it is a very much valued asset of the charity.
This global spread reflects the fact that the focus on low grade glioma tumour support is uncommon and that there is a real need for it. Each year, we send informative leaflets to all Neuro-oncology units around the whole of the United Kingdom, so that information about Astro Brain Tumour Fund, and the support we can offer, can be shared with all newly diagnosed patients.
ASTRO BRAIN TUMOUR FUND
Trustees’ Annual Report For the Year ended 5[th] April 2026
In accordance with statutory requirements and the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice (second edition – Oct 2019) ‘Accounting and Reporting by Charities’ (FRS102), the Trustees submit their report for the year ended 5[th] April 2024. These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting policies set out on page 12 and comply with the charity’s governing document, the Charities Act 2011 and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice edition II applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland – October 2019.
Trustees
The trustees named on page 1 served throughout the financial year.
Present Trustees Mary (Treasurer), Linda (Support Group Moderator), Robbie, Angela, Neal, Dawn and Katie have been committed to carrying on the invaluable work of the charity. Mary has been treasurer/trustee since the charity was registered in 2009, looks after the daily administration of the charity and with husband Robbie are active fundraisers and prime organisers of the annual Holkham Hall walk. Linda, as well as fundraising, is support coordinator and moderates the Facebook page. Angela and Dawn represent the charity at All-Party Parliamentary Group meetings at Westminster and Dawn is particularly passionate on instigating change for LGG patients by lobbying government organisations to ensure that these patients ae not “forgotten”. Neal and his family are prolific fundraisers for the charity. Katie assists at fundraising events.
Investment powers
The Trust Deed authorises the trustees to make and hold investments.
Constitution, Objects and Policies
The charity’s constitution is embodied in the Trust Deed. The object of the charity is to raise funds for low grade glioma brain tumour research. The work of the charity is for the public benefit seeking to improve scientific knowledge, treatments, outcomes, and support in this area. To ensure that this is at the forefront of what we do the trustees have due regard to the public benefit guidance issued by the Charity Commission when exercising their responsibilities, for example when making funding decisions. The charity has appropriate policies in place to cover e.g., management of the Facebook support group, data protection and safeguarding, recognition of fund raisers/supporters etc. The charity has no employees and therefore no policies in relation to employment.
Developments, activities, and achievements
The trustees report that the performance of the charity for the past year has much improved from the previous year. We have full funding in place for the Cambridge projects that we are committed to and partial funding, at present for the Imperial project, with the prospect of fully funding at a later date.
Our Facebook Support Group page has been a source of strong support and information. Members are actively interacting and providing support both emotional and practical both to existing members facing periodic scans/procedures and waits for results; and also, as new patients and their families seek knowledge from those who have already been through certain treatments/tests/processes.
Financial review
The Fund derives its income from donations, grants from charitable trusts, fund-raising events run by the trustees and the charity’s supporters, and interest on money held on deposit. Administrative expenses are small as the charity is run by volunteers and where possible the trustees seek sponsorship to cover administrative costs for larger events such as the Norfolk Family Walk.
Risk management
The trustees review the major risks that the charity faces on a regular basis and are mindful of risks such as reputational risk or mandate related risks when discussing day to day business of the charity or when considering research funding possibilities. The trustees have also examined other operational risks faced by the Charity and confirm that they have established systems to mitigate the significant risks. The trustees reserve policy is to aim for its resources to be distributed to suitable research projects as soon as practical to meet commitments made. Where specific grants have been
received amounts may be held as restricted reserves until such time as the activity supported by the grant is completed. At the end of the financial year reserves were £305,400 (prior year £221,105). The trustees believe that maintaining reserves at current levels, combined with an annual review of the controls over key financial systems, will provide sufficient resources for the future.
The Trustees are responsible for preparing the report and accounts in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
The law applicable to Trustees in England and Wales requires Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the income resources and application of resources of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:
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Observe the methods and principles in the Charities’ SORP second edition – Oct 2019 (FRS102);
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Select suitable accounting standards and then apply them consistently;
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Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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State whether applicable accounting standards and statements of recommended practice have been followed, subject to any departure disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
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Prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity, and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the Trust Deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Approval
This report was approved by the trustees on 23[rd] May 2025 and signed on their behalf.
Mary Burton (Trustee)
ASTRO BRAIN TUMOUR FUND
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5[TH] APRIL 2026
Incoming Resources Donations and Grants Unrestricted Grants Restricted Grants Gift Aid Repayments Interest Received Miscellaneous Receipts Total Income Expenditure Research Funding Fundraising Restricted Expenses (note 2) Restricted Research Grant Funding Website Hosting Insurance Publicity Miscellaneous Total Expenditure Net Incoming Resources Fund Balances B/Fwd Fund Balances C/Fwd |
2026 103,688 95,201 5,000 55,000 10,000 8,241 4,208 4,761 5,180 394 4,038 177,084 85,855 30,254 418 248 654 672 5,000 17,548 300 300 235 185 190 544 47 35 92,699 84,385 221,015 £305,400 |
2025 118,627 49,786 68,841 152,174 £221,015 |
|---|---|---|
BALANCE SHEET AS AT 5[TH] APRIL 2026
| Current Assets Barclays Bank Cambridge & Counties Bank NET CURRENT ASSETS Funds Fund Reserves Restricted Reserves (note 2) Approved by the Board of Trustees on……………………and signed on their behalf Mary Burton Trustee |
2026 205,390 100,010 305,400 255,400 50,000 £305,400 |
2025 | 121,005 100,010 221,015 221,015 - £221,015 |
|---|---|---|---|
£ |
ASTRO BRAIN TUMOUR FUND
Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of Astro Brain Tumour Fund
Charity Number – 1133561
We report on the accounts of the Association for the year ended 5[th] April 2026, on pages 5-6.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner.
The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts.
The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:-
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examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act.
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to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act; and
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to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner’s report.
My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair’ view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent examiner’s statement .
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention: -
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which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the requirements: -
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to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act.
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to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act have not been met; or
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to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
A Borland F.C.A. 75 Newnham Street Ely Cambs CB7 4PQ
Dated
7
ASTRO BRAIN TUMOUR FUND
Notes to the Accounts For the Year ended 5[th] April 2026
1 Accounting Policies
1.1 Statement of compliance
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with applicable UK accounting standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 ‘The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland’ (FRS 102). Additionally, they comply with the Statement of Recommended Practice ‘Accounting and Reporting by Charities’ second edition – October 2019 in all material aspects. The Charity meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102.
1.2 Basis of Preparation
The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis under the historical cost convention. The functional currency of the Charity is considered to be Pounds Sterling because that is the currency of the primary economic environment in which the charity operates.
1.3 Going concern
The trustees have assessed whether the use of the going concern assumption is appropriate in preparing these financial statements. The trustees have made this assessment in respect to a period of one year from the date of approval of these financial statements.
The trustees of the charity have concluded that there are no material uncertainties related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the ability of the charity to continue as a going concern. There is no specific threat or relevance to Astro Brain Tumour Fund from most government policies. The charity benefits from our supporters being very active fundraisers and the annual Holkham Walk being a well-supported event. We also received some significant donations in the year which resulted in receipts being £58,457 up on the previous year. In addition, the charity has small, fixed overheads. The trustees are of the opinion that the charity will have sufficient resources to meet funding obligations that will be tailored to fit resources and reserve policies. The charity does not take on funding commitments beyond the available reserves.