Renfrewshire musician releases charity single in memory of brother to raise money for The Brain Tumour Charity

Andrew Wright, from Elderslie, wants to raise vital funds and increase awareness of tumours in memory of his brother Calum who died last summer at age 31, six years after he was diagnosed with a brain tumour. 

His self-penned song One Eleven will be released on Friday, July 22, with all proceeds going to The Brain Tumour Charity. 

Calum Wright

Andrew said: "Calum was diagnosed with a Grade 2 oligoastrocytoma brain tumour in January 2015, when he was just 24.

"It was a shock as he’d had no prior symptoms.

"His diagnosis came following seizures that occurred while he was working as a flight attendant."

Calum in Andorra

Calum underwent surgery to remove the tumour shortly after he was diagnosed, but it came back a year later at Grade 3. 

In December 2019, it recurred for the third time and was deemed inoperable, with Calum's treatment revolving around limited tumour growth and extending his life for as long as possible. 

Andrew said: "As a family, we are so grateful to have had six years with Calum after his diagnosis, although it was obviously a tough time.

"The reality of reoccurrence was always at the back of our minds; it was always going to happen, we just didn’t know when."

Andrew Wright performing

He continued: "Music was such an important part of our lives growing up and I have so many happy memories of singing and performing with Calum, so this seemed like an appropriate tribute to him, which will hopefully raise funds and awareness.

"Calum played keyboard and trombone, but his main talent was singing and performing.

"He would often sing harmony whenever we sang together and added backing vocals to a couple of my early attempts at songwriting.

"Everyone who knew Calum knows how inspiring a person he was, long before his cancer diagnosis.

"He always wanted to make the most of life, living and working abroad, and travelling to meet with family and friends all over Europe, something he was determined to continue to do in the six-and-a-half years post-diagnosis until the pandemic got in the way.

"This allowed us to make so many special memories which we’re now able to cherish.

"One Eleven’ reflects on how it feels to lose a loved one, hoping to see a sign that they’re still with you, and I hope that it resonates with those who have been through a similar situation."

One Eleven single cover

The song features vocals from one of Calum's closest friends, Jenny, who raised £4000 for the charity by running a half marathon last April.

The Brain Tumour Charity is the UK's largest dedicated brain tumour charity and is committed to fighting brain tumours on all fronts. 

They fund pioneering research to increase survival and improve treatment options, raise awareness of the symptoms and effects of brain tumours to bring about earlier diagnosis and provide support for everyone affected. 

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Andrew said: "Calum wasn’t shy in sharing his story to help others. 

"Had circumstances been different, he would have liked his brain to have been donated for research.

"Therefore, I want to continue his legacy and help raise money to fund vital research. 

"There were many targeted treatment options undergoing clinical trial around the time of Calum’s passing.

"Unfortunately, none matched the pathology of his tumour.

"It would be wonderful to think that further research could widen the scope of these treatments so people like Calum are able to access them, perhaps even leading to a cure."

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Evie Wragg, The Brain Tumour Charity’s community fundraiser for Scotland, said: "We are extremely grateful for all the efforts made by our fantastic fundraisers and wish them all the very best. 

"Brain tumours are the biggest cancer killer of the under 40s and, unlike other cancers, survival rates have not improved over the last 40 years.

"We are leading the way in changing this and truly fighting brain tumours on all fronts through our work.

"It’s through the amazing efforts of people like Andrew that we can change these shocking statistics in the future and bring hope to the thousands of people who are diagnosed with a brain tumour every year."

One Eleven will be available to stream on all the usual platforms, including Apple Music and Spotify, from July 22. 

You can also donate to The Brain Tumour Charity on Andrew's Just Giving Page HERE.