A special fundraiser night aims to bring the community together in support of York mum living with a with a grade 4 brain tumour.
Emma Ward, 47, was diagnosed in March 2025 with grade four glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. When diagnosed, she was given just 12 to 15 months to live.
A JustGiving appeal was launched to raise the funds needed for the £150,000 vital treatment in Germany, with over £75,000 being raised in just six days.
Now, the community is rallying together for a fundraising indie and Britpop night at Huntington Working Men’s Club on Friday 1 May.
The night will feature live music from local favourites Melting Pot and SpeedQuizzing hosted by former Shed Seven legend Alan Leach.
Organisers say the night reflects the strength of local support, with the band, Alan Leach and Huntington WMC all throwing their support behind fundraising efforts for Emma.
Paul Downes, singer of the Melting Pot, said, “Emma’s been a friend for almost 30 years, and we just want to do something to help support her and her family.”
Alongside the night, there is a special online auction featuring prizes such as weekend breaks, donated by local businesses, meaning people can bid and support Emma’s appeal even if they cannot attend the event.
Emma’s appeal is supported by charity Brainstrust, with the organisers, Emma’s friends, saying the response so far ‘shows the very best of the local community’.
Emma has lived in York all her life, originally from Rawcliffe and now living in Poppleton.
A mum to two teenage daughters and a long-time employee of Nestlé, Emma has already undergone awake brain surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
Despite this, she has been informed that there are currently no further treatment options currently available on the NHS.
After learning of others locally who have benefitted from immunotherapy, Emma is hoping to travel to a specialist clinic in Germany for treatment that would help her body’s immune system better recognise and fight the tumour.
This offers hope of slowing the cancer’s growth and giving Emma more years with her daughters and husband Dan.
To find out more and to make a donation, visit Emma’s official JustGiving page.
