Hi, I'm Jacob, I manage The Shakespeare Inn in Welford. The team and I have been busy for the last few months setting up and creating Shake Fest, an awesome day of live music, great drinks, and great food - a proper start to the summer. Along with this, I've wanted to use this opportunity to raise some money for a charity very close to my heart.

Nearly 3 years ago, I lost my dad to a terminal brain tumour. It was a random Tuesday in June when my brother and I got the news that our dad had a week left to live. Within a couple of hours, my amazing step-dad was driving my brother, my mum, and me 300+ miles to Colchester to be with him. That Wednesday when we saw him was the last time he was fully 'him' before he declined. We sat around his bed drinking mango slushies, cracking jokes, and listening to my brother play our favourite songs on his guitar - it was the embodiment of us.

The next day, Dad was moved to the hospice, and he didn't handle the move well. The decline was instant compared to the day before, but my awesome step-mum was always right by his side. He was on a heavy dose of painkillers, was slowly losing his hearing, and spent most of the time passed out. That was aside for the few moments he'd wake up and say something outrageously funny or mishear my brother saying 'I love you' as 'I need a poo'. Those little moments might've lasted 5 seconds or 5 minutes, but I treasure every single one of them in my heart and would give anything to hear one more witty remark or see him crack a cheeky smirk.

My Dad, Andrew Graham Dean, passed away June 15th 2023. He was the greatest dad ever. Be it greeting my brother and I with a massive dad hug after school, working with him in my first job in the pub he managed, or absolutely belting Foo Fighters at 1am after a few bottles of rum. I'd give anything to work one more shift with him, have one more drink with him, or just one more hug.

If you've read this far, thank you. I really appreciate it. Please consider donating, as it'd mean the absolute world to me and those The Brain Tumour Charity helps. Thank you.

The Brain Tumour Charity is the world's leading brain tumour charity and the largest dedicated funder of research into brain tumours globally. Committed to saving and improving lives, we're moving further, faster to help every single person affected by a brain tumour.

We're set on finding new treatments, offering the highest level of support and driving urgent change. And we're doing it right now. Because we understand that when you, or someone you love, is diagnosed with a brain tumour a cure really can't wait.