A BRAIN tumour patient from Crewkerne has raised thousands of pounds to help fund research into the disease.

Five years on from her diagnosis with a meningioma – the most common form of adult primary brain tumour – Claire Messer has raised more than £6,400 for charity.

The 59-year-old hair stylist has undergone gamma knife radiotherapy. She was diagnosed in November 2015 after suffering from hearing loss.

Determined to help others affected by the disease, Claire, with support from her husband Rod and daughters Chloe and Celine, has raised money for the charity Brain Tumour Research by holding a number of fundraising events, including dinner dances and football tournaments.

On Saturday, February 1, Claire presented a cheque to the charity to celebrate her achievements.

Claire, a grandma-of-one, said: “I’m relieved that since my treatment finished, my tumour has remained stable and I’m feeling in good health.

"My next scan is in May and I’m really hoping for positive results.

“All cancers are scary but for me, this is the most terrifying cancer; the brain is so complex and controls every element of your personality.

"I’m devastated that it is so common in children and I really feel the frustration of the scientists who are searching for a cure with such limited funds.

“I was shocked to discover that on average less than 20 per cent of those diagnosed with a brain tumour survive beyond five years compared with an average of 50 per cent across all cancers.

"I’m determined to continue fundraising in future to help others affected by this dreadful disease.

“Alongside our fundraising achievements, this year our family was blessed with the news that Chloe is expecting her second child; we are very excited. I’m so thankful for the treatment I received at the Bristol Royal Infirmary, I put my life in the hands of the skilled medical professionals who I knew had so much knowledge and discipline. I was truly in awe of them.”

Mel Tiley, community fundraising manager for Brain Tumour Research in the South West, said the charity was extremely grateful for the support of Claire and her family.

She said: “Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40, yet have historically received just one per cent of the national spend on cancer research. We cannot allow this desperate situation to continue.”

Brain Tumour Research funds sustainable research at dedicated centres in the UK. It also campaigns for the Government and the larger cancer charities to invest more in research into brain tumours in order to speed up new treatments for patients and, ultimately, to find a cure.

To donate to Claire’s fundraising page for Brain Tumour Research go to bit.ly/3b3Rdqy.