FORMER mayor of Beaconsfield, Sandy Saunders, has raised more than £4,000 more for the brain tumour charity he launched in 2009, following the death of his daughter.

Diana Ford, the daughter of Cllr Saunders, passed away in 2002 just 23 days after being diagnosed with a brain tumour.

Since her death the former mayor has campaigned for further research and in launching Brain Tumour Research he has pursued more donations.

The latest amount was raised at a black-tie dinner at Hall Barn towards the end of September.

The event, which 104 people attended, was promoted by The Beaconsfield Heritage Trust to commemorate the 250th Anniversary of the Literary Club.

Sandy said: “Many people will be aware that Brain Tumour Research is a charity close to my heart because we lost our daughter Diana to a brain tumour just three weeks after diagnosis.

“But they may not realise that brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer, yet just one per cent of national cancer research spending goes on brain tumours.

“I am delighted that the event seems to have been a great success and particularly delighted that it raised a significant sum which will fund valuable research.”

Brain Tumour Research currently helps fund – through corporate and public fundraising – an annual £1 million programme of research at its Centre of Excellence in the University of Portsmouth.

The charity recently announced partnerships with three new Research Centres, paving the way for a £20 million investment in brain tumour research over the next five years.