A young man’s brain tumour death has inspired his whole street to get together to help find a cure for the disease.

Sean Crossey was diagnosed with an aggressive glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) brain tumour in August 2016. He underwent two lots of brain surgery, followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy. In March 2018 a scan revealed that the tumour had regrown and, after an awake craniotomy, Sean began further chemotherapy.

In June last year, Sean married his fiancée, Laura Griggs. The pair went away on their honeymoon, but on the last day Sean was unwell with a bad headache and vomiting

A subsequent MRI scan showed that the tumour had got bigger and, despite the family looking into the possibility of trying other treatments like immunotherapy and repurposed drugs, Sean reached the end of the road in terms of treatment options.

He passed away at Florence Nightingale Hospice, Aylesbury, with family at his side at the age of just 29.

His parents, Jo and Bernard, invited the residents of their street to come together to mark the first anniversary of his death by coming together for a barbeque to help raise money for the charity Brain Tumour Research.

Jo said: “Sean was so kind, thoughtful, generous and funny. When he and Laura married, one of their vows was to make each other laugh every day.

“His mantra was Carpe Diem – seize the day – and that was just what Sean did. He was for ever telling us he loved us and putting his arm round us. Never an hour goes by when I don’t think of him.”

“We have lived in our street for over 25 years and our children have grown up alongside our neighbours’ children.

“We used to have annual barbecues together and have always been supportive of each other, helping out where we can, including sharing lifts to our children’s schools.

“Bernard and I were so touched by the support we had for our charity barbecue, both in organising and attending, and couldn’t believe how much we raised.”

Paula Rastrick, community fundraising manager for Brain Tumour Research in the Central Region, said: “We thank Jo and Bernard for putting on their Do Lunch barbecue to help fund research into better treatments and ultimately a cure.

“Sean’s story reminds us that less than 20% of those diagnosed with a brain tumour survive beyond five years compared with an average of 50% across all cancers. We cannot allow this devastating situation to continue.”

To support Brain Tumour Research, go to www.braintumourresearch.org/donation