A charitable group set up by the family of a Banstead mother who died from a brain tumour has raised about £18,000, funding six days of research into the deadly cancer.

Sue Thomas, 57, was diagnosed with a brain tumour in July 2013, but despite bouts of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, she died at home in December 2015.

Grieving husband David and his daughters, Rachel and Holly, along with her husband, Lewis Still, formed the Song for Sue Foundation, an offshoot of the national charity Brain Tumour Research, six months ago.

Since then, they have raised thousands of pounds for the charity – enough for six days of research at its Centre of Excellence in Imperial College, London – including more than £12,000 raised at a dinner dance at Surrey Downs Golf Club last year.

This month the family visited the research facility at Hammersmith Hospital to put up six tiles on its Wall of Hope in recognition of this.

The family were also given a tour of the research laboratories, where lead scientist Dr Nelofer Syed talked about exciting research developments, and the neuro-surgery unity, where Kevin O’Neill, a leading neuro-surgeon at Charing Cross, told them about a new surgical tool, known as an iKnife, which can differentiate between tumour and normal brain cells during surgery.

David said: “It has given me an incredible insight into the research being carried out and will be very helpful when I am asked how the Song for Sue Foundation’s monies are utilised.

“Sue’s personality was very positive and constructive so it seems only fitting that what Song for Sue is doing is also positive and constructive.”

Brain Tumour Research is campaigning to increase the national spend on research into the cancer from £30million per year – just one per cent of the national budget for cancer research – to £35million.

Rachael explained: “It was lovely to see what Song for Sue’s money is going towards and exciting to hear the new strides being taken in research. It gives us hope that we’ll find a cure one day.”

Holly added: “When you look at the Wall of Hope and see each person who has lost their battle with a brain tumour or is still fighting, it’s good to know that something positive is coming out of a tragic story.

“I am very proud of our achievements to date in memory of Mum. We are aiming to hit £50,000 raised by Song for Sue by the end of 2018.”

Sue’s sister, Gill Ballard, who grew up in Cheam, but now lives in Marbella, Spain, has also been fundraising for Song for Sue, raising an additional £3,165 through a sponsored walk which is to become an annual event. This sum will bring the total number of days sponsored by the family and their supporters to seven.

Community Fundraising Manager for Brain Tumour Research, Tim Green said: “We are extremely grateful to everyone at Song for Sue for their amazing support.

“It’s vital that campaigners like Dave, Rachael, Lewis and Holly help to shine the spotlight on this neglected cancer. We desperately need more awareness and research investment so we can find a cure.”