Tom’s Trust launches Tea for Tom to celebrate 10 year anniversary

The brain tumour charity Tom’s Trust has launched its summer event, Tea for Tom, and is inviting everyone across East Anglia to get involved for children with brain tumours in the region.

This National Tea Day (Wednesday 21 April) Tom’s Trust, which funds psychological support for children with brain tumours and their families, is asking supporters to sign up to host their very own tea party.

The official date for Tea for Tom is on Sunday 27 June, which is the 10 year anniversary of the charity being founded following the death of nine year-old Tom Whiteley in 2010. The date would also have been Tom’s 20^th birthday.

Tom’s Trust want supporters to enjoy seeing their family and friends again all in one place as the event is just six days after coronavirus restrictions lift, however the event is designed to be flexible and can be hosted at any convenient time.

Hosts can download a fundraising pack to get started, which is full of recipes, decorations and information. They then need to make, bake or buy food and drink for the event, invite their friends and family to join, and ask for donations to Tom’s Trust, however much guests can spare.

They can either collect up the money and donate it on the Tom’s Trust website, or set up a fundraising page. The event is designed to be a fun way of raising vital funds for children with brain tumours, whether hosts prefer a relaxed get together or a formal occasion similar to tea at the Ritz.

The money will be used to provide Tom’s Trust’s expert psychological support in the UK, including at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, which helps children with brain tumours and their families across East Anglia through a multi-disciplinary service.

Debs Mitchell, Tom’s mum and Co-founder of Tom’s Trust, said: “When Tom died, our family received almost no support at all. Nobody helped us as a family to deal with the news and nobody told us how to explain to our other children that Tom was going to die. We relied on family and friends for support and we fumbled our way through the whole nightmare.

“It is unbelievable that there are still children battling brain tumours and parents losing their children who still aren’t receiving the mental health support they desperately need. At Tom’s Trust, we’re aiming to change that.

“As a parent it is my responsibility to ensure that other families who walk our path don’t do it unsupported and alone like we did. That’s why we set up Tom’s Trust, and we’re making leaps and bounds in helping families across the country.

“Tea for Tom is one of our biggest events of the year. It’s inclusive and enjoyable and the money raised will make such a different to the families we support, giving them a shoulder to cry on, as well as understanding, reassurance and coping mechanisms. We’d love it if you could join us to change their lives.”

Supporters can host at home, in a garden or park, at an office or other place of work, at a school or, for bigger parties, at a hired venue.

For those still shielding from coronavirus, there’s the option of hosting virtually.

To sign up or find out more, head to the Tom’s Trust website, at www.tomstrust.org.uk/tea-for-tom