AN INSPIRATIONAL young woman who helped raise almost £80,000 while battling a terminal brain tumour has died just one day before her wedding.

Courageous campaigner Anna Swabey died today (September 16) at home in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, where she spent her final days surrounded by family.

The 25-year-old was due to marry the love of her life and fiance, Andy Bell, at a ceremony in the Richmond area tomorrow (September 17).

Paying tribute to the bride-to-be, Miss Swabey's family wrote on Facebook: "Anna passed away peacefully in the early hours of [Friday] morning.

"I cannot put into words the heartbreak we all feel, but amongst our sadness, we are so proud of her courage, her spirit and the determination she showed throughout her illness.

"If ever there was a person to show us how to live, it's Anna Louise Swabey, our beautiful, brave girl."

The Portsmouth University graduate was diagnosed with a grade three brain tumour, aged 23, in February 2015 when she was initially told by doctors she could have as little as three months to live.

She underwent surgery and faced a gruelling course of radiotherapy and chemotherapy, leading to tiredness, sickness and hair loss.

Undeterred by the devastating implications, Miss Swabey selflessly dedicated her precious time to promoting awareness of the disease and raising money for the Brain Tumour Research Campaign (BTRC), a charity inspired by her neurosurgeon, Kevin O'Neill.

One month after her diagnosis she set up a candid blog called Inside My Head - followed by by more than 4,500 people - where she documented her "brain tumour journey".

It was through her blog and numerous media interviews that she raised the profile of the disease and helped drive a petition calling for more research funding to be debated in Parliament, which she attended in April.

The brave fighter set herself a fundraising target of £100,000 for the BTRC and thanks to her JustGiving page, friends, family and army of supporters managed to raise nearly £80,000.

Earlier this year her campaigning efforts captured local and national attention. She was made an honourary member of Newton Aycliffe Rotary Club, was crowned a Rotary UK Young Citizen of the Year and was awarded Durham County Council Chairman’s Medal.

In the 12 months after her diagnosis, Miss Swabey was presented with another life-changing event - meeting the man of her dreams, Mr Bell, who popped the question in December 2015.

The pair were due to marry in front of family and friends tomorrow (September 17).

Speaking to The Northern Echo shortly after the engagement, Miss Swabey said: "Despite my diagnosis I've never felt so content - I've found a purpose and I've found the love of my life."

However, on July 27, six weeks after finishing 14 months of chemotherapy, a scan revealed a new growth on her brain which was removed.

More bad news came on August 15 when biopsy results showed the tumour - which she dubbed Trev - had progressed to grade four.

Miss Swabey, who attended York College and the city's Mount School, deteriorated and was brought home as per her wishes.

Her friend and BTRC founder, Wendy Fulcher, said: "Bright, vivacious, kind, and beautiful, Anna was one of those to whom others are naturally drawn. She had a great sense of fun and a marvellous joie de vivre. There is no doubt she had the brightest of futures ahead. Anna loved the fact that she could make a difference. She certainly did that and I am so proud that I had the opportunity to know her."