Carrie Bickmore’s gold logie acceptance speech went viral this year after she used the opportunity to raise awareness of brain cancer, the same disease which took her late husband, Greg Lange, back in 2010. Slapping on a beanie and asking Australia to do the same, the #BeaniesForBrainCancer hashtag received so much support that Carrie has now decided to turn the movement into a foundation, Carrie’s Beanies 4 Brain Cancer, all kicking off with a music, comedy and food festival next month.
Announcing my new foundation CarriesBeanies4BrainCancer. My aim is to raise 1 million dollars for BC research. #CarriesBeanies4BrainCancer
— Carrie Bickmore (@BickmoreCarrie) November 9, 2015
Dubbed Brainbeats 2015, the summer festival will take place on Sunday, December 6, at Melbourne’s Margaret Court arena, with an impressive musical line-up including Ed Sheeran, Bliss N Esso, Vance Joy, Passenger and Rudimental, plus funny guys Peter Helliar and David Hughes. Thanks to the help of music industry figurehead Michael Gudinski, Carrie hopes that the inaugural event will get her closer to her goal of raising $1 million for brain cancer research.
“Given so many people who die from brain cancer are under the age of 40, I felt party that celebrates great music, great food and great local talent would be the way to go,” Carrie explained on the newly launched Carrie’s Beanies 4 Brain Cancer website.
However, the presenter admitted on The Project that when she initially texted music promoter Michael and asked if she could come over to his house with an idea, she wasn’t quite sure what he’d be thinking. “I think he thought I was going to say I wanted to become a pop star. I think he was relieved when I said what I said,” Carrie laughed.
After revealing her plan, she explained, “I think he thought, ‘You’re nuts, that is way too massive’,” but still ended up bringing it all together. Michael said, “The whole of Australia got behind beanies for cancer. Carrie’s impact with the Logies speech was just incredible. I can tell you one thing, little Ed is looking forward to it.”
The event is intended to be annual and intimate with only 1200 tickets available at $395 a pop for General Admission. “It’s a really up close and personal event, it’s an intimate event. You’re going to be really close to these guys,” she explained on The Project last night.
You can purchase a ticket (if you’re 18+), or just donate to a great cause, here. For those who don’t live in Melbourne, Carrie has a series of events and initiatives planned following Brainbeats 2015, including a beanie collection over winter.
[Via The Project]
