#TurnUpForTessa: The Tessa Jowell Foundation aims to transform NHS brain cancer care
Portland has launched the first public-facing mass fundraising appeal on behalf of the Tessa Jowell Foundation.
The foundation was started in honour of the beloved public servant and DCMS Secretary.
The major media and digital drive – which has so far delivered over 250 pieces of coverage in the first 24 hours and support from David Beckham, gold medallist Denise Lewis and singer Jessie Ware - has been months in the making, as part of delivering Tessa’s ‘final campaign’ to transform NHS brain cancer care.
The Tessa Jowell Foundation is asking the British public to #TurnUpForTessa on 27 July - the 10th anniversary of the London Olympics, which Tessa played a key role in delivering – to watch a newly cut version of Danny Boyle’s Opening Ceremonies, which will be shown in hundreds of cinemas across the UK.
All proceeds will go to the Tessa Jowell Foundation (TJF).
Portland worked with TJF to develop the campaign strategy and creative as well as the media and social media strategy. So far the launch has seen coverage across outlets such as The Times, The Sun, The Daily Express and LBC Radio with more broadsheet and tabloid print coverage and broadcast appearances scheduled in the coming days. Social media support has already been shown from figures ranging from David Beckham to Jessie Ware and Alistair Campbell.
Brain cancer is the biggest cancer killer of children and people under 40 in the UK.
International sports star and former Olympic ambassador David Beckham is supporting the launch of a new fundraising campaign for the Tessa Jowell Foundation, set up in memory of his friend Baroness Tessa Jowell.
Beckham, gold medal winning Olympian Denise Lewis and a host of other celebrity supporters, are urging the British public to #TurnUpForTessa on the 27 July. Proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to the Tessa Jowell Foundation, with a free screening to be shown at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford, East London.
As Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport under Tony Blair, Tessa played the leading role in delivering the London 2012 Olympics, one of her many legacies as a beloved public figure.
Her ‘final campaign’ before passing away in 2018 from a brain tumour, was to devote her efforts to improving access to brain cancer treatment on the NHS, which is the biggest cancer killer of children and adults under 40 in the UK.
The Tessa Jowell Foundation was set up in her memory, and is led by Jowell’s daughter, Jess Mills. Since its launch in 2020, in partnership with the Tessa Jowell Brain Cancer Mission, the foundation has led on the co-creation of a national brain cancer strategy, gathered the most comprehensive data on NHS brain cancer services ever and supported the accreditation of 17 Tessa Jowell Centres of Excellence for brain cancer at NHS hospitals across the country.
David Beckham, former Manchester United footballer and Olympic torch bearer says: “It is a shocking and widely unknown fact that brain cancer is the biggest cancer killer of children and people under 40 in the UK. As a close friend of Tessa, it is my honour to help support her family foundation to deliver her final campaign—to transform NHS brain cancer care in Britain.
“Tessa was absolutely key to bringing the Olympics to London, with all the incredible memories that brought, and I cannot think of a better way of honouring such a wonderful person than by supporting a cause she cared so passionately about. Please donate if you can.”
Jess Mills, CEO of the Tessa Jowell Foundation and daughter of Baroness Tessa Jowell says: “Brain cancer is the biggest cancer killer of children and people under 40 in the UK, yet treatment options and advances in research have not changed in decades. Mum believed passionately that that could, and must, change. So it is with great pride that all the funds raised from this event will go to fund our NHS Tessa Jowell Centres of Excellence, that will ensure all children and adults with brain cancer can receive world class care, in their local NHS hospital.”
“Please do #TurnUpForTessa on the 27 July at your local cinema, text TESSA to 70470 to donate just £5 or go to www.tessajowellfoundation.org.uk to find out more.
Every pound donated will go towards tackling the biggest cancer killer of under 40’s in the UK.”
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