Group Captain Pip Harding (6.84–89), a decorated RAF helicopter pilot and Old Malvernian, is calling on the Malvernian community to rally behind a national petition to increase research and treatment provision for brain cancer.
Pip was diagnosed with stage 4 brain cancer in March 2024. Despite being given only months to live, he has defied the odds thanks to a pioneering treatment called oncothermia, which uses targeted heat to shrink tumours. The treatment, costing £1,000 per session and not covered by the NHS, has been funded by the extraordinary generosity of Pip’s family, friends, and RAF colleagues, who raised over £40,000 in just two weeks.
Now, Pip’s focus is on helping others. He is urging the Malvernian community to sign and share a petition to Parliament, which calls for increased government support for brain cancer research and treatment. The petition needs 100,000 signatures to be considered for debate in Parliament; it currently stands at nearly 18,000.
“The support I’m after is not money but signatures to the petition,” Pip writes. “Anyone who lives, works, or studies in the UK – including under 18s – can sign and your support would mean so much. Spread the word, this could lead to the saving of lives.”
Pip’s journey has been marked by courage and resilience. A veteran of Iraq, Afghanistan, and Northern Ireland, he continues to serve and his determination to help others is undimmed. His story is a powerful reminder of the need for greater awareness and support for those affected by brain cancer. He invites all Malvernians to join him in this campaign – not just by signing, but by sharing the petition widely.
How you can help:
- Sign the petition: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/738881
- Share the petition with friends, family, and colleagues.
Together we can help ensure a better future for all those affected by brain cancer.
Good luck