The family of Anna Swabey have issued an emotional tribute after the inspirational campaigner passed away last week.
Anna died peacefully at home in Newton Aycliffe last Friday, surrounded by her family, just a day before she was due to marry fiance Andy Bell.
The 25-year-old had been battling a brain tumour since January 2015.
But during her fight, Anna managed to raise a staggering £77,000 for the Brain Tumour Research Campaign.
And since she passed away last week, a further £15,000 has been donated to take her fundraising total to £92,000.
Donations can be made at Anna’s JustGiving page here
Her family have paid tribute to their ‘remarkable’ Anna, saying they want to help her achieve her dream of reaching £100,000.
Her sister Victoria told Aycliffe Today: “Anna was a truly remarkable person.
“We all watched… in awe of her at times… her blunt, practical attitude towards her illness and wondered how on earth she did it.
“As her family we all took our cue from her, calling her tumour ‘Trev’, using our usual family dry wit and humour to make it a part of our lives.
“Anna’s aim was to raise awareness of and funding for brain tumours, and we are so proud of her achievements in such a short space of time – and doing all this while planning her wedding to Andy, and undergoing, sometimes gruelling, treatments and surgeries to try and prolong her life.
“Anna lived. She really lived. We hope she will continue to provide a source of comfort, courage and determination to others fighting a similar fight, and we hope the work she has done in raising awareness of brain tumours, and the need for more funding into research, is just the beginning.
“That way her legacy will always live on. Anna’s aim was to reach £100,000 and we hope we can continue towards this on her behalf.”
Anna’s family are accepting donations instead of flowers for her service, which is at Wear Valley Crematorium at 10am on Friday (September 23), with the money going to both Brain Tumour Research Campaign and Marie Curie.
Donations can be made by clicking here.
