A THORNBURY-based charity is urging people to don their bandanas to help raise vital funds.

Brain Tumour Support will be holding its third ‘Bandanas for Brain Tumours Day’ tomorrow (Friday, March 6) in which people will wear bandanas to raise awareness of the growths.

The event coincides with National Brain Tumour Awareness month which runs throughout March.

On the day people are invited to wear a bandana and donate at least £1 to the charity.

They are available to order online, by telephone and by post for £3.50 from the charity and, thanks to generous sponsorship from Thornbury-based Crossover Technologies, this year each purchase raises even more money for the charity's work.

Bandanas can also be purchased from Surroundings, Heritage gift shop, The Swan, Hawkes House Cafe, Giggs Hair and Beauty, Discount Superstores and Cadman Wealth Planning in Thornbury.

In previous years, a number of celebrities including Olympic diver Tom Daley, the cast of the Happy Days Tour including Cheryl Baker and Heidi Range and local newsreaders Alex Lovell, David Garmston and Sally Challoner have all worn bandanas to show their support for the campaign.

This year there is also an opportunity for people of all ages to take part in a 'Design a Bandana' competition with downloadable materials online at www.braintumoursupport.co.uk.

Cake sales, coffee mornings, bucket collections and a wealth of fundraising will be taking place at The Castle School, Marlwood School and New Siblands School

Chief executive Tina Mitchell Skinner, set up the charity as Hammer Out Brain Tumours in 2003 after losing her husband Paul Mitchell to a brain tumour when he was just 37.

She said: "Wearing a bandana and supporting brain tumour patients and families is hugely appreciated by us and all those we help, whilst fundraising through a bandana event enables us to continue our work and raise awareness. It makes a huge difference."

"We would like to thank everyone who is standing with us for the campaign and assure them that every penny raised really does make a difference to brain tumour patients and families." Tina concludes.

More information on Bandanas for Brain Tumours Day and Brain Tumour Support can be found at www.braintumoursupport.co.uk, by emailing info@braintumoursupport.co.uk or by calling 01454 414355.