THE brother of a young artist who died after living with a brain tumour for ten years is leading a charity bike ride in her memory.

Luke Burwood’s younger sister, Laura, died in November aged 31 after being diagnosed with grade two glioma, a type of tumour that grows slowly initially but can develop into a high-grade cancer over a number of years.

A talented artist from Romsey, Laura began showing symptoms when she started getting seizures at the age of 21 and doctors at first thought it could be a form of epilepsy.

After the diagnosis, to stop the tumour progressing, it was removed at Southampton’s Spire Hospital.

But despite this, the tumour continued to grow and Laura eventually needed surgery three times to remove as much as possible, as well as radiotherapy treatment.

Now though, next month, less than a year after the passing of his sister, 43-year-old Luke Burwood, is due to be joined by his friends as they take on the challenge of cycling 300 miles to raise money for research into cancer.

The ride comes as part of Cancer Research UK’s Cycle 300 Challenge which asks people to cycle 300 miles to raise funds to help the pioneering work of doctors, nurses and scientists who are tackling cancer on all fronts.

In the Romsey area, around 3,600 people are diagnosed with cancer every year.

Daily Echo: Luke Burwood with his sister Laura and brother Simon. Luke Burwood with his sister Laura and brother Simon.

Luke, who is also based in Romsey said: “The diagnosis hit us all like a ton of bricks. We just hadn’t considered it could be a brain tumour.

“Laura was amazing. I don’t ever remember her being upset and she didn’t want sympathy. Once she realised what needed to be done she just cracked on and got on with it.

“The boys and I cycled to raise money for Laura back in 2016 and now we’re doing it in her memory to help others.

“It’s frustrating that there was nothing to help cure her, despite having access to amazing treatments so we have to raise awareness and money to fund more research. I think she’d be determined that these developments are made and pleased that we’re doing this.”

The Cycle 300 challenge begins next week and people can sign up for their own challenge on the Cancer Research UK website.

A fundraising page has been set up for Luke’s challenge which can also be found here.