THE bravery and determination of a nationally-recognised brain tumour campaigner was remembered at a ceremony marking her outstanding achievements.

Anna Swabey, of Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, was just 25 when she lost her battle in September, one day before her wedding.

The blogger’s family was this week presented with a prestigious Rotary International Paul Harris Fellowship, the organisation’s highest honour.

The Fellowship was awarded to Miss Swabey shortly before her death but she was too sick to receive it personally.

Newton Aycliffe Rotary Club president Nora Scott described the occasion as “bitter-sweet”, adding: “(Anna was a) delightful young woman whose early death left a great hole in the worlds of many people.

“She was a truly inspirational individual who cared more about others than she did about herself.”

The event was attended by national Rotary President Eve Conway and District Governor Peter Chandler who made a five-hour drive to be there.

Miss Swabey’s father Keith Swabey was presented with the certificate and badge in front of her mother Linda Swabey, sister Victoria Cartwright, brother Matthew Swabey and fiancé Andy Bell.

Ms Conway described Miss Swabey as “a wonderful, beautiful, brave person who touched the life of everyone she met”.

She added: “We shall never forget her”.

In a moving reply from Mr Swabey, he said: “We miss Anna each and every day. She really was a most incredible young lady.”

In the 20 months following her devastating diagnosis, Miss Swabey set out to raise £100,000 for the Brain Tumour Research Campaign and helped collect signatures to force a Government debate on increasing the amount of funding for brain tumour research.

Miss Swabey’s fund now stands at more than £106,000 and her family have vowed to continue what she started.

Taking the total even higher, the family was handed £1,000 raised by the club’s annual model railway exhibition.

The next major fundraiser will be a Parisian-themed black-tie ball at Woodham Golf Club, Newton Aycliffe, on March 25.