The first fundraising event has been held by a foundation launched in memory of a Ramsgate four-year-old who passed away from an aggressive brain tumour in January 2024
Mum Leanne Bain created The BB Foundation in honour of son Brooklyn, a little boy known for his funny personality, love, and kindness.
Brooklyn was diagnosed with the aggressive brain tumour called Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) in October 2023.
The much- loved member of the Regency Dance School and Ramsgate Arts Primary, had undergone radiotherapy treatment at the Royal Marsden in a crucial effort to pause the tumour’s growth and provide his family with more time to spend with him.
Sadly, he passed away on January 5th, 2024.
Leanne set up The BB Foundation to help families who have received a DIPG diagnosis. Funding will be shared to families with DIPG in whatever ways they need, whether that’s hospital parking and a coffee or a specific wheelchair and car seat.
Funds will also be used to support organisations that provide vital care, resources, and advocacy for the families.
On Sunday (June 21) The BB Foundation hosted the Brook’s Fun Run and raised more than £1,000.
Leanne, 37, said: “We had over 50 people participate and raised over £1000 from donations and sponsorships, Everyone wore bright coloured t shirts with a cartoon Brooklyn on and ran, walked, skipped and scooted from The Granville Theatre to Brooklyn’s memorial bench on the Westcliff and back again.
“Once at his bench everyone left little messages for Brook which they wrote during registration and wore as bracelets for the first half of the run.
“Everyone received a medal when crossing the finish line at the Granville.”
The 5.6km fun run was sponsored by Pyramid Martial Arts, where Brooklyn attended for only three lessons before he became unwell.
Leanne added: “We will be making it an annual event, however we hope to hold future events a little earlier in the year on Brooklyns birthday weekend the second week of May.
“Next year we also hope to make the event a “Fun Run Day” and have some stalls, bouncy castles and other fun activities, with more races based on ages, like a little toddle run, a kids run, a family run, an adult run and so on.
“I’d like to thank everyone who attended- runners, marshals, family and friends, for making our first fun run so enjoyable and such a huge success.
“The BB Foundation page is always open for donations, not just when we have an event, and we are grateful for every contribution.
It’s been a great start and we are now able to begin supporting those who are currently suffering DIPG.”
DIPG (now referred to as Diffuse midline glioma) is a rare and aggressive brain tumour which almost exclusively affects children aged 4 to 11. Approximately 40 children per year develop DIPG in the UK.
There is no cure and the progression of the disease is extremely distressing for the child and their family.
In the mission statement for the foundation, it says: “Beyond financial support, the BB Foundation is rooted in honesty and lived experience. “Having walked this journey ourselves, we aim to offer real, compassionate guidance to parents—especially mothers—who are suddenly thrown into a world few understand.
“DIPG is rare, and information is limited; nothing truly prepares you for the speed, the loss, or the life that follows. Through open, truthful, and sometimes brutal insight, we seek to help others feel less alone and less unprepared, even in the darkest moments.
“The BB Foundation stands for remembrance, awareness, support, and truth—so that no family has to face DIPG feeling unseen, unheard, or completely in the dark.”
Find The BB Foundation on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/the.bbfoundation/
Find The BB Foundation fundraiser at: https://www.gofundme.com/f/the-bb-foundation
