THE family of a farmer who died from a brain tumour are making spirits bright this Christmas by backing the Brain Tumour Research charity’s fundraising appeal.

After losing Adam Forster in 2014, his family have channelled their grief into fundraising and raising awareness of brain tumours.

The Northern Echo:

Adam with his beloved horse

This Christmas, they want to inspire others to do the same and they are supporting an appeal to raise £5,000 in the North-East in order to improve treatment options and, ultimately, find a cure.

Mr Forster, who farmed at Shotley Bridge, near Consett, died aged 42 after being diagnosed with an aggressive glioblastoma multiforme.

The tumour was inoperable but the keen hunting man underwent radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Despite treatment, Mr Forster deteriorated and passed away less than a year after his diagnosis.

He left his parents Terry and Ann, sister Kerry, brother-in-law Carl and three young nieces, Gracie, Ellie and Lauren.

Kerry said: “Losing Adam devastated our family and all we could do was channel our grief into fundraising. Nothing will ever make up for our loss but putting our energy into funding the fight against brain tumours gives us hope. By sharing Adam’s story and raising awareness, we want to show people that some good can come from the pain. Only research can bring us closer to that light at the end of the tunnel.”

Before Mr Forster died, his dad, Terry, told him he would raise money for research into the disease by organising an annual Santa Bike Run with a fleet of Santa Clauses spreading Christmas cheer through the streets of Consett.

The fifth annual event will take place on Saturday, December 15, and Terry, who rides his old Harley Davidson each year, will lead his merry band on a 30-mile trip around Consett, stopping at Lintzford Mill Garden Centre and ending at The Crown and Crossed Swords in Shotley Bridge.

Adam’s family are also spreading goodwill at a Christmas Quiz Night tonight at Ebchester Village Hall.

Matthew Price, from Brain Tumour Research, said: “Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer, yet historically just one per cent of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease. The ongoing support of Adam’s family is invaluable to us and we’re delighted that they are encouraging others to follow in their footsteps this Christmas.