A Bingley charity has released a song to raise money towards brain tumour research.

BTRS (Brain Tumour Research and Support) – formerly Andrea’s Gift, set up in memory of Bradford mum-of-two Andrea Key who died from a brain tumour aged 42 – is releasing a charity song which it hopes will be played on local radio stations at 11.40am on August 1 (Yorkshire Day).

Sting’s ‘Fields of Gold’ was a favourite of charity fundraiser Ian Meek who, despite suffering from a brain tumour, raised more than £110,000 in three years for BTRS before his death on Yorkshire Day last year. His friend Rob Berry teamed up with BTRS to launch the single, which they hope will boost funds for the Ian Meek PhD Studentship to support a three-year programme of brain cancer research at the Leeds Institute of Molecular Medicine.

Rob said: “Fields of Gold was a song I covered when I played in a band in the 90s and, unbeknown to me, was one of Ian’s favourite songs and was played at his funeral.

“I am honoured to do this in his memory. Ian was an inspiring man and the best friend anyone could ask for. I miss him terribly.”

Rob was part of Ian’s fundraising team, embarking on challenges such as Meek’s Peaks, conquering the National Three Peaks in 2010, cycle rides from Bristol to Bradford covering 200 miles in 24 hours in 2011 and the 1,001-mile Lands End to John O’Groats in 10 days in 2012.

Carol Robertson, BTRS charity development manager, who is embarking on a 220 mile Bristol to Leeds cycle ride on Saturday in Ian’s memory, says he was ‘a true inspiration.’ “Ian was a very special man who wanted to be remembered for positive things rather than being a patient,” she said.

“We wanted to do something very special for the anniversary of his death and I hope that Ian would be pleased with the end result.”

The charity single was supported by Jamie Longthorne and James Allen, students at Leeds College of Music. It is available to download now through iTunes, Amazon and at all main music outlets. For more information, visit btrs.org.uk, call 0791 888 2816 or e-mail carol@btrs.org.uk