THE legacy of the daughter of a former Mayor of Beaconsfield has helped launch a new Brain Tumour Research centre of excellence.

The research charity was started by Councillor Sandy Saunders following the death of his and wife Rosemary’s daughter, Diana Ford.

Aged 42, mother of three Diana died from a brain tumour 12 years ago, less than three weeks after diagnosis.

The Diana Ford Trust was re-registered as the Brain Tumour Research in 2009, and they have since campaigned to raise more funds and awareness.

The centre was opened at the Queen Mary University of London in collaboration with the UCL Institute of Neurology on Thursday, October 23.

The charity hopes the new centre will bring fresh hope to the 16,000 people per year diagnosed with a brain tumour and say it also marks a significant step in the charity’s mission to establish seven Research Centres of Excellence with funding of £7 million per year.

Cllr Saunders said: “I am proud that Diana’s legacy has played a part in enabling Brain Tumour Research to launch this new Centre of Excellence which will bring us closer to finding more effective treatments and ultimately a cure.

“One in 50 people who die under the age of 60 years are dying from a brain tumour. This is a shocking statistic as is the fact that research in this area is woefully underfunded, receiving just 1 per cent of national cancer research spending.”

The event was hosted by Brain Tumour Research Patron and MP for Buckingham, the Rt Hon John Bercow – Speaker of the House of Commons. He said: “This is an historic moment for Brain Tumour Research. Based on what they have achieved already, the prognosis is now brighter for patients and families affected by this terrible disease.”