Stars of stage and screen are backing a charity cash drive by the Hitchin-based Dr Hadwen Trust which aims to raise £180,000 to fund a brain tumour research project.

The Comet: Actress Anna Chancellor is backing a fundraising campaign by Hitchin’s Dr Hadwen Trust (DHT) to raise £180,000 to fund a brain tumour research project.Actress Anna Chancellor is backing a fundraising campaign by Hitchin’s Dr Hadwen Trust (DHT) to raise £180,000 to fund a brain tumour research project. (Image: Archant)

In a first for the trust, which funds medical research that does not harm animals, the campaign is a joint effort with another charity, Brain Tumour Research.

Patron Peter Egan and fellow actor Anna Chancellor have helped launch the campaign by posting ‘selfies’ on social media.

And the Downton Abbey and Ever Decreasing Circles star visited the University of Portsmouth to meet Professor Geoffrey Pilkington, who will lead the research.

The project will be researching an all-human model of the blood-brain barrier in order to help the treatment of brain tumours. The barrier protects the brain, but can also hinder treatments delivered through the bloodstream. That means brain tumours are among the toughest to treat and new strategies are needed.

The Comet: Hitchin’s Dr Hadwen Trust (DHT) has launched an appeal to raise £180,000 to fund a brain tumour research project. Patron Peter Egan, right, is pictured with Professor Geoffrey Pilkington of the University of Portsmouth, who will lead the researchHitchin’s Dr Hadwen Trust (DHT) has launched an appeal to raise £180,000 to fund a brain tumour research project. Patron Peter Egan, right, is pictured with Professor Geoffrey Pilkington of the University of Portsmouth, who will lead the research (Image: Archant)

The campaign, dubbed the Grand Challenge, will run throughout next year and encourages supporters to commit to raise £1,000 for the cause – you can find out more online at www.drhadwentrust.org.