Chilcompton teenager, Emma Welch, who raised thousands for Brain Tumour Research before she tragically passed away earlier this year following surgery to correct a scoliosis curvature of her spine, has been nominated for a British Red Cross Humanitarian Citizen Award by Wells MP, James Heappey. Now, her grief-stricken parents, Lesley and Tony, have learnt that their beloved daughter has been short-listed for an award.

Tony said: “Life has been incredibly hard since Emma died and each day presents new struggles against the anguish we feel. As her father, my only joy has been watching Emma’s Just Giving page increasing and the number of visits to her website rising daily: www.emmawelch.co.uk

“For Lesley and I, the extraordinary work which Emma undertook and which is now being continued by her friends in her memory for Brain Tumour Research is both amazing and uplifting.

“Emma’s last fundraiser, just four days before she passed away, involved taking 135 teddies up Snowdon to set a world record for the number on a mountain top. Since then, it has been heart-warming to see that her friends have picked one of the cuddly toys who picnicked on the Welsh summit and christened her ‘Daisy Bear’ in honour of Emma – Daisy was her middle name. Daisy Bear now has her own Facebook page: www.facebook.com/daisy.bear.750. She acts as Emma’s fundraising manager, whilst doing her best to travel around the world.

“To discover that Emma has been short-listed for this award is a real joy for myself and Lesley. The thought that she may win brings more joy, because it carries with it the promise that the Red Cross will publish her story across the world. This would present a huge opportunity to build awareness of the pioneering work of Brain Tumour Research to fund vital work in the laboratory towards more effective treatments and ultimately, a cure. It would make Emma immensely proud – perhaps even as proud as we are of her.”

Hugh Adams, from Brain Tumour Research adds: “Emma truly deserves this award – during her short life, she embodied selflessness, courage and caring. Despite her own health issues, she was dedicated to improving the lives of others. She chose to support the charity, inspired by her church minister at the time, Andrew Stammers, who was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour at the age of 37, having learnt that brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of forty, yet just 1% of the national spend on cancer research is allocated to this devastating disease.

“With the help of amazing fundraisers like Emma, we are striving to fund a network of seven dedicated research centres, whilst challenging the government and larger cancer charities to invest more in brain tumour research. Help us fund the fight. Together we will find a cure.”

To donate in memory of Emma, please go to https://www.justgiving.com/Emma-Welch5/ The total so far is now over £9,000.

The result of the British Red Cross Humanitarian Citizen Award will be made known on 24th November, in the House of Commons at the Palace of Westminster, to which Emma’s parents have been invited.