Eltham and Charlton vaccine staff to protect against brain tumours as well as virus

Staff at vaccination centres in Eltham and Charlton will be wearing a hat as well as a mask on March 26 – in memory of an Orpington man who died from a brain tumour in 2015.

David James, the chief executive officer at Greenwich Health, has encouraged staff to get involved with Wear a Hat Day which will raise money for charity Brain Tumour Research.

The efforts are in memory of Paul Plowman, a friend of Mr James’s, who passed away in February 2015, aged 34, from a glioblastoma multiforme brain tumour.

Mr James, also from Orpington, met Mr Plowman at school in Bromley and had been friends for a long time at the time of his death.

He said: “It was such a shock when Paul was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour. At the time, I had no idea that this disease killed more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer.

“I am looking forward to Greenwich Health’s vaccination centres joining in the fun of Wear A Hat Day on 26 March and hoping that people who come for their vaccines will be moved to donate to this very worthy cause.” 

Since losing Mr Plowman, his widow Emma, with family and friends have raised more than £22,500 for Brain Tumour Research to help find a cure, including supporting Wear A Hat Day.

 Emma, who lives in Orpington, said her husband complained of headaches before finally being taken to A&E and being diagnosed with a brain tumour.

She said: “It was such a shock, with our daughter Isabelle just 18 months old when her daddy was diagnosed and three when he passed away.”

 Brain Tumour Research is inviting people to join in the fun of Wear A Hat Day by wearing their best headwear.

Wear A Hat Day has raised more than £2 million to help fund the fight against the disease.

Pictured top: Paul Plowman (left) and David James (right)