A Peasedown St John woman who lost her only son to a brain tumour has welcomed a new research centre which will bring hope to thousands.

Sondra Hopkins, 54, travelled to London for the opening of the Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence in Hammersmith.

She was among patients, carers, scientists, clinicians and charities from across the UK who gathered last Thursday, 24th September for the official launch of the centre. It joins others at Queen Mary University of London and at universities in Portsmouth and Plymouth, to become the fourth centre funded by the national charity, Brain Tumour Research. The launch of the ground-breaking partnership with Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust means the charity is more than half-way towards its aim of creating a network of seven dedicated research centres.

Mrs Hopkins, of Ashgrove, Peasedown St John, has campaigned for greater awareness and increased research funding after losing her 32-year-old-son George Michael Harrison to a primitive neuroectodermal (PNET) brain tumour in June 2010. First diagnosed in 2003 at the age of 25, George underwent surgery and recovered well, marrying his childhood sweetheart Georgina. Sadly, five years later the tumour returned. He was nursed at home and passed away in June 2010 with his mum Sondra, wife Georgina and sisters, Charlie and Abbie, at his side.

Mrs Hopkins, the Managing Director of global submarine and escape rescue systems company, Sonistics Ltd, said: “More than five years have gone by since we lost George and we still miss him every day. It is so unfair that this devastating disease is woefully underfunded and I am delighted that this new centre will bring hope to families. It is too late for us, but we must do all we can to prevent others enduring the pain we have experienced.”

George was known as a legendary dancer and the family’s Boogie on Down event held earlier this month at Peasedown St John Cricket Club raised over £1,000 for the charity. Speaking about the event, Sondra said: “The evening was brilliant and the different age groups all mixed really well with jivers and twisters sharing the dance floor with 80s pop stars!

“The fancy dress ranged from Elvis to Freddie Mercury and we also had a 1950s vamp who looked stunning. We’ve been asked to do it again next year, so it could become a regular event.

“Our Boogie on Down for Brain Tumour Research Just Giving page has reached £1,372 and I’m confident that we will reach the goal of £2,000, as we have pledges yet to come in.

Sue Farrington Smith, Chief Executive of Brain Tumour Research, said: “We are extremely grateful to Sondra who, despite her loss, is working so hard to help us fund the fight. This new centre brings a welcome and timely boost to long-term sustainable and continuous research into brain tumours. With the assistance of our supporters and member charities, we will remember George as we work on behalf of the 16,000 people like him who are diagnosed with a brain tumour each year.”

Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust’s is the first in the charity’s network to be headed up by pioneering brain surgeon, Kevin O’Neill. Mr O’Neill, Consultant

Neurosurgeon at Charing Cross Hospital, said: “Working with a team of researchers, we are exploring novel treatments to halt brain tumour cell invasion into healthy brain tissue.”

The centre will receive £1.3m from the two charities over the next three years. The research and fundraising partnership between Brain Tumour Research and the Trust aims to raise £1 million a year towards the new studies involving clinicians at the Trust’s neuro-oncology unit at Charing Cross Hospital and scientists from Imperial College London.

Donations can be made in George’s memory at https://www.justgiving.com/Sondra-Hopkins