A Banstead widower who has raised more than £33,000 for brain tumour research has spoken of how unprepared he felt for disease that took his wife’s mind as well as her life.

David Thomas, 63, lost his wife Sue in December 2015. She was 57 when she died, having been diagnosed with an aggressive glioblastoma multiforme tumour which was so deep in her brain that surgery wasn’t possible.

Sue underwent chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment but, in the end, nothing could save her.

David said: “Sue loved life and lived it to the full – she was a wonderful wife and mother, an amazing career woman and a committed Christian.

“Brain tumours take every bit of you, everything shuts down. Doctors don’t prepare you for this, probably because they are trying to protect you.

“The tumour took away Sue’s body and mind and part of her personality. It affected her whole being. She couldn’t talk or even express how she was feeling.

“In the last few weeks the only way I could tell how Sue was feeling was by looking into her eyes – that was our connection, and how we expressed our love.”

Shocked there was so little treatment available to Sue, David - along with the couple’s daughters Rachael Thomas and Holly Still, and her husband Lewis - set up The Song for Sue Foundation under the umbrella of national charity, Brain Tumour Research.

The Song for Sue Foundation raised about £33,000, including £14,500 from a dinner dance back in November, held at Surrey Downs Golf Club in Kingswood, around the second anniversary of Sue’s death.

This year they worked once again with Brain Tumour Research to support Wear A Hat Day with an event on February 24 at Merland Drive Church in Tadworth, which raised more than £1,000.

They asked supporters to wear a hat in memory of Sue and others affected by brain tumours, in return for a range of cakes and hot drinks. There was also a raffle and charity merchandise to buy, including hat pin badges.

If you want to donate, text HAT to 70660 to donate £5, texts cost £5 plus network charge.