'We lost her future': Family's brain tumour plea

The family of a woman who died from a brain tumour say they want to see more national cancer fundraising directed towards brain tumour research.

Evanne Miller-Bettridge, from Tamworth, died in April 2025, aged 24, after being diagnosed with a malignant tumour in 2019.

Her father, Greg Hughes, said: "We feel the need for national funding is so important, because as a disease it overly affects young people.

"There's very little funding, I think it's one percent of the total national cancer funding", he added.

Evanne started feeling unwell around Christmas 2018, and days later collapsed and started having seizures.

She underwent surgery to remove some of the tumour, along with seven weeks of combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

"She tried to just live a normal life. Things stayed like that for a few years," Greg said.

"She came back home and started doing a Master's degree in art, and there were signs the tumour had started to regrow.

"By late 2024, we knew it was spreading and there wasn't a lot that could be done at that point.

"She was determined to enjoy Christmas that year because she knew that might be the last one she got. She loved Christmas."

In early 2025, Evanne lost her mobility.

Greg said her and her partner, Adam, were 'desperate to marry' and plans were brought forward.

The pair married in March 2025, six weeks before Evanne died.

"Even though there was a struggle going on behind the scenes, there was immense excitement of pulling things together," Adam said.

"Because everyone got brought closer together, I think that's something Evanne would have really held on to.

"She was someone that was so selfless. She was always the light of the room, she'd make friends with absolutely anyone.

"I was completely in awe of her. I'll never miss the opportunity to miss her and to love her and remember her."

Greg, along with his wife, Vanessa and Evanne's husband, Adam Miller-Bettridge, are taking part in a Walk of Hope at Chatsworth on Saturday to raise money for charity.

Greg added: "The minute you look anything up, you know how bleak a [brain tumour] diagnosis it can be.

"They are not curable. Most of the treatments are buying time.

"It's a real struggle every day, so anything that can be done to try and stop other families and other people having to go through it is to be applauded."

Evanne's family say before and after her death, she has raised about £22,000 for brain tumour research.

Greg said: "Losing a child is probably one of the worst types of grief you can have.

"We've not just lost her, we've lost the future of seeing what she would have done and who she would have become.

"Your world collapses. It's very hard to carry on, so doing charity things helps.

"She would have been really proud, I think, to see the money being raised and work being done."

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