AN Ealing widow attended a reception in Westminster to celebrate the launch of three partnerships, set up by the charity Brain Tumour Research.

Wendy Fulcher, 62, was one of 150 patients, carers, scientists, clinicians and charity workers who attended the event at the Speaker’s House.

She appreciates the significance of these new partnerships more than most.

Her husband, John, died of a brain tumour in 2003. After his death, she formed the Brain Tumour Research Campaign (BTRC) and has since helped to raise more than £1m.

Mrs Fulcher, of Montpellier Road, said: “What a lot of people don’t realise about brain tumours is just how devastating they can be, and what a young person’s disease it actually is.”

She started her campaign with her husband’s neurosurgeon at Imperial College, Charing Cross.

“All the money we raise goes to funding at Charing Cross Hospital,” she said.

“Anyone diagnosed with a brain tumour in Ealing would be referred there, so it is very much a local charity. We’d love to be more active in Ealing.

“My husband and I owned a company in Hanger Green, and now I run the charity from the same office.

“The whole crew there knew and loved John, so, when we organise events, that’s a way of remembering him.”

Mrs Fulcher said it was a special moment for the BTRC to be recognised at the launch.

“I am incredibly proud that the team I’ve been supporting is now going to receive support, too,” she said.