Hats Chats and Tumours

Luke and Christine

Wear a Hat Day 2019
Capturing an image on camera begins with looking around for those special moments.

Our “Wear a Hat Fundraiser” seemed to be full of such moments.

The hall was filled with family and friends, all there to support those who have been affected by a Brain Tumour.

Kath and Mattie loving their hats

Unfortunately I didn't have my camera so I wasn't able to capture moments but the photographer within me couldn't help but look for those images that would reflect our event.

An event inspired by the discovery of more than 50 hats left by an elderly neighbour who died shortly after her friend who had suffered from a brain tumour. An event in memory of a young man aged just 28 who died just 9 months after being diagnosed with a brain tumour and an event to remember a student that we used to teach who lost his battle in February this year, aged just 30.

People travelled from far and wide and the hall was filled with so many smiling faces wearing a hat and enjoying a cup of tea and a cake.

There were the ladies from the local women’s group who looked so at home drinking tea from vintage tea cups and wearing hats once worn by two lovely ladies called Kath and Mattie.

There were old school friends, ex colleagues. neighbours and parish counsellors all chatting and sharing stories.

My hubby in one of his many hats

My whole family were there to support me. Sorting out the stalls, meeting and greeting  and my hubby kept me smiling by wearing a different hat every time I saw him.

If I had my camera in my hand I would have taken a picture of all those who arrived with a tin or a Tupperware container full of buns, baked by them, to be enjoyed by others.

I would have captured my granddaughter’s smile as she organised the Tombola and her proud little grin as she modelled one of the exhibition hats.

Then there was the image of generations all gathered together. Babies, toddlers, mums, dads, grandparents, pushchairs and wheelchairs all in the same room, all touched by someone affected by a brain tumour.

I would probably have snapped the moment that a young friend arrived with a dozen cakes she had baked that morning on the day she was moving house or the moment when two ex colleagues who you haven’t seen for a couple of years, walk into your charity event wearing silly hats and with big smiles on their faces uttering the words “Surprise Surprise!!”

Not forgetting the moment my 32-year-old son walked into the hall wearing one of his granddad’s flat caps and gave me a fiver for the funds then raced off to work.

Trish in the kitchen

Our event raised more than £800 in 3 hours! There are so many people to thank.

The local Milliner who gave up her afternoon to speak about her hats and made a donation rather than charge a fee.

The lovely caretaker of the parish hall, who must have wondered if her kitchen would ever survive as our friend Trish created organised chaos amongst the dozens of homemade cakes and antique tea pots.

The £100 Hat

People who couldn't be there but who donated and sent raffle prizes with those that could be there.

Then there are my 2 sisters who live in different countries, who had a bidding war on Facebook for a hat that they probably won’t wear but which raised over £100.

Not forgetting the three friends who helped to plan and organise with me using a whatsap group simply called “Wine!”

Probably the most poignant moment for me was when 2 mums who had never met before hugged each other and cried together. Both mums had lost a son and they both knew exactly what the other mum was feeling. No words were needed it was just an image that I shall never forget.

People comment on how inspirational  I am but I am constantly humbled by the generosity of our friends and family and astounded by how much support I have received for this special charity. Of course the images I saw were captured on camera  by my friend Jane.  Images that truly reflect how one small fundraising event can mean so much to so many people.