A woman from the Docklands went to Westminster to campaign for more brain tumour research funding last week.

Lydia Fenny from the Royal Victoria Dock began campaigining after a friend from university died aged 31 from a brain tumour.

Last Tuesday, she attended the All Party Parliamentary Group on Brain Tumours (APPGBT) to listen to the priorities in brain tumour research for the next year.

The group promised that in the autumn, they would drive forward recommendations from an inquiry into the social and economic impacts of brain tumours. There were more than 250 pieces of evidence gathered from web forums and in person which contributed to the inquiry.

Lydia campaigned with the Brain Cancer Research charity to try and increase the funding given to brain tumour research.

Sue Farrington Smith, chief executive of the charity, said: “We are proud to have played a key role as the APPGBT has campaigned for change over 12 years.

“We now look forward to the inquiry report as well as continuing to see the impact of the newly-formed Tessa Jowell Brain Cancer Mission along with new funding commitments and other initiatives announced this year.”

Lydia started her campaign work after her friend, Phil Blackmore, died from a brain tumour on New Year’s Eve in 2016. Phil, a financial analyst, had been diagnosed just four months before.

She said: “I saw Phil just a few weeks before he died and he seemed to be doing so well. For him to die so suddenly and at such a young age just opened my eyes to how cruel this disease is and to how many people are experiencing the devastation that it brings.”

Brain tumours kill more people under 40 than any other cancer. Lydia pointed out that one per cent of the national spend on cancer research is allocated to a cure for brain tumours.

She said: “The least I can do in Phil’s memory is try and help to change this. I look forward to continuing to campaign with the Brain Tumour Research charity.”

Linda was joined by East Ham MP, Stephen Timms, along with patients, clinicians, scientists and parents of patients to hear the announcements of the parliamentary group.