Aviva Investors, the global asset management business of Aviva plc, announces it has named its Charity of the Year in 2026, partnering with brainstrust, a UK-based charity supporting people living with brain tumours, as well as the people who care for them.
For 20 years, brainstrust has sought to improve the lives of those affected by brain tumours through personalised support, information, and advocacy, helping them to make more informed choices and feel less alone, with 28,000 people in the UK diagnosed with a primary or secondary brain tumour each year.
The charity also campaigns for better care, fairer access to trials and treatments, patient-centric research, and greater awareness and understanding of the impact of brain tumours. As well as therapeutic services, such as group hypnotherapy and neuro pilates sessions, brainstrust creates support networks, including online meetups, coaching workshops and focus groups, as well as journalling and writing workshops, providing people with a place to check-in with others facing similar journeys and to share experiences and learnings, as well as to hear from specialists to obtain information or gain reassurance.
As Charity of the Year, Aviva Investors will contribute £50,000 to brainstrust, whilst running a series of fundraising and awareness raising activities, events and educational session throughout 2026 to continue supporting the vital work it does.
Aviva Investors support for brainstrust follows Brain Tumour Awareness Month in March, billed as a time to raise understanding, start conversations, and shine a light on the support available for people affected by brain tumours.
Mark Versey, CEO at Aviva Investors, said:
“We are incredibly pleased and proud to back brainstrust and the incredible work it does with courageous people and their support networks. With so many people diagnosed or directly affected by brain tumour diagnoses each year, we think it’s a great cause to stand behind and help maximise the positive impact it has, not just on people and individuals but communities across the UK.”
Will Jones, CEO of brainstrust, said:
“Over 100,000 people are living with a brain tumour in the UK right now. 79 more are diagnosed every single day, including over 400 children a year – yet a third of neuroscience centres have no dedicated Allied Health Professional support, and 40% lack access to neuropsychological care. People are falling through the gaps at the moment they need help most.
“brainstrust exists to close that gap. We provide the personalised support, information and community that the system too often can’t. Aviva Investors’ people understand what it means to plan for an uncertain future, and we are proud to have them standing alongside us. This partnership will help us reach more patients and families who need us, and sends a powerful signal that the business community sees quality of life for people with a brain tumour as a cause worth fighting for.“