THE family of a man who died of a brain tumour are determined to continue an inspirational campaign he initiated to fund more money into research of the disease.

Jon Redding, from Hitchin, died in October after being diagnosed with an incurable brain tumour. He was just 36-years-old.

His parents, Jo and John Tyrrell, are continuing the father-of-one’s campaign to get one per cent more of the cancer research budget put into brain tumour research.

In a touching tribute to her son, Mrs Tyrrell, from Letchworth GC, told the Comet: “Jon knew from when he was first diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2009 that he was in big trouble, yet remained hopeful for a break through in a cure. He knew the survival rate was low and we do remember him saying ‘don’t cry, I am not dead yet’.

“His strength of character and bravery meant that he would attempt to carry out normal functions every day. I miss him so much and he fought to the very last breath.”

Jon, who was married to wife Amelia and had a young daughter, three-year-old Esm�, was determined his family would be supported if he died, and set about making arrangements to secure their future.

He also set about campaigning for an improved share of the �504m cancer research budget towards malignant brain tumours.

“Statistics for 2010 show 2.4 per cent of all cancers were malignant brain tumours, yet less than one per cent of the budget was spent on brain tumour research, (although) this increased to 1.4 per cent during 2011,” said Mrs Tyrrell, who is asking for an extra �5m into the budget.

She added: “We heard so much about trials, breakthroughs in understandings, exciting discoveries, more trials, and so on; yet none could be offered to our son and none helped our son survive.”

The campaign, ran alongside The Brain Tumour Charity, features an online petition and a fundraising mission.

The Comet will be following the campaign as it progresses.