A County Durham mum is gearing up to take on the Great North Run in memory of her daughter.

Anna Hayes, 65, is preparing to complete the Great North Run in honour of her daughter, Bernadette Summerson, from Lanchester, who died from a glioblastoma (GBM) in June 2014 at the age of 31.

She is working with charity Brain Tumour Research, and will be running the half-marathon on Sunday (September 10) with her children, Mary Jo, 23, and James, 38.

Mrs Hayes said she is undertaking the run to help support research into brain tumours, and added she knew her daughter would be proud of the family.

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The Northern Echo: Bernadette and brother James

She said: "“Bernadette’s diagnosis was a huge shock. I remember one nurse saying we had a dreadful journey ahead of us.

"It was dreadful but Bernadette was always so positive; she remained happy and independent, enjoying family time and walking her beloved puppy Milo, despite her diagnosis and the side effects of her treatment.

"She was taken far too young. Brain tumours get so little government funding, there’s a massive need for more.

"More research is needed to find out why brain tumours happen, because they cause such devastation.”

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The Northern Echo: Anna Hayes and James Summerson

Mrs Hayes said her daughter's speech had become difficult to understand, and after a GP visit where her face drooped to one side, she was taken to Dryburn Hospital, now known as University Hospital of North Durham.

She added Bernadette's scan revealed 'something' on her brain and she was transferred to the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle.

Mrs Hayes said that despite a hopeful start to her daughter's treatment, chemotherapy and radiotherapy were only able to reduce the tumours.

“Bernadette was put on steroids to reduce swelling on her brain. She was discharged from hospital, but a few days later during a follow up appointment with the consultant neurologist, we were informed it was a large brain tumour, with multiple smaller growths," she added.

"Bernadette underwent surgery in August; the surgeon said the procedure went well and he removed a lot of the tumour.

"When I thanked him for saving her life, the look on his face suggested he had been unable to.

"She had chemotherapy and radiotherapy; the treatment was successful in reducing the tumours, but we knew Bernadette had a terminal diagnosis.”

The Northern Echo: Bernadette Summerson

While visiting family in Australia in December 2013, Bernadette became disorientated and on her flight home her speech became unintelligible.

She was taken to the Freeman Hospital again where a scan showed her tumour had grown.

Bernadette received another course of chemotherapy which reduced the tumours again for a few months, but her speech and mobility gradually deteriorated from April 2014.

Bernadette was able to stay at home with her family until she passed away peacefully on June 14, 2014, with her mum by her side.

Mrs Hayes said: “What Bernadette went through was devastating. Brain tumours are taking the lives of young people with everything to live for.

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"I hope by doing this race with my son and youngest daughter, other families in the future may be spared going through what we experienced. I know Bernadette will be so proud of us doing this together in her precious memory.”

Matthew Price, community development manager at Brain Tumour Research, said: “We’re really grateful to Anne for taking on the Great North Run, as it’s only with the support of people like her that we’re able to progress our research into brain tumours and improve the outcome for patients like Bernadette who are forced to fight this awful disease.”

The fundraiser has so far raised £540 and can be found here.