Church Square House will be lit up in memory of brave brain tumour victim

The buildings and fountains in Queen Elizabeth Gardens will be lit up pink and yellow in memory of Scunthorpe father of three Dave Hopkins, who died of a brain tumour.

Today (Thursday 28 March) is official Wear A Hat Day, Brain Tumour Research’s annual event to bring hope to brain tumour patients and their families.

Dave, who was known as Did, died aged 46 from a glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) brain tumour on November 6, 2021.

He was diagnosed just 14 months earlier after suffering migraines and a flicker in his eye for a couple of weeks.

GBM is very aggressive, incurable, and carries an average survival prognosis of 12 to 18 months with treatment.

Dave’s wife, Nicki ,and children, Dylan, Lydia, and Sydney, had campaigned to raise money for treatment for him in Germany, in an attempt to extend his life.

They are now pouring all their efforts into fundraising for vital research and to help other sufferers and families.

Rob Waltham leader, North Lincolnshire Council, said: “I wholeheartedly support any attempts to find an effective treatment for this most devastating of diseases and want to thank Nicki and her wonderful family for continuing with their tireless campaigning despite the tragedy they are dealing with.

“Nicki has done everything from marathon running to firewalking in aid of Brain Tumour Research and has raised tens of thousands of pounds.

“She has involved local shops and businesses as well as Scunthorpe MP Holly Mumby-Croft and I am proud that North Lincolnshire Council is helping in some way to raise awareness.”

Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer.

Nicki, along with other family members has set up a fundraising group under Brain Tumour Research’s umbrella called Team Hopkins – Winning For Did. Visit the page for how you can pledge your support.

Photo: Nicki (centre) with Scunthorpe MP Holly Mumby-Croft and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak during a visit to Downing Street last year to raise awareness for Brain Tumour Research after Nicki was nominated for a Community Champions Award (Pic: Downing Street)