THE mum who has survived a brain tumour for 20 years is back fundraising again to address the devastating lack of research.

Julie Lever is hosting a Bandana Bake on Saturday at the Salvation Army, in Butt Road.

Between 10am and 12 noon, £2 will get you a hot drink and a light bite in the knowledge you will ultimately be helping to save a life.

The proceeds will be donated to the Brain Tumour Charity, which is aiming to raise £150,000 for specialist research and clinical trials.

Julie, of Langenhoe, has fundraised more than £2,000 for cancer research to-date.

Old Health Pre-School also held a successful bandana bake recently, collecting £40.

With recent news of her own health having taken a turn for the worst, she is keen to do as much as she can for the Brain Tumour Charity.

She said: "Fairly soon after I had treatment to remove my tumour, and was told there was none left, I began fundraising.

"That was in about 1999. But I hadn't done much proactive fundraising after that so this year I thought I must do something.

"With the type of tumour I had, there's not enough meaningful research. The charity is trying to get global statistics to see if they can get more reliable results for rarer types of brain cancer."

Julie, 52, underwent surgery and radiotherapy to remove the tumour which was discovered months after the birth of her youngest daughter Imogen, now aged 20.

She had her first seizure when Imogen was two-weeks-old and then another at six-weeks-old. They continued until Julie was having them about once a month and had to stop driving.

She said: "At first I was told I'd developed epilepsy and that it was quite common in new mothers, but I was still sent for a brain scan in Ipswich.

"Within three months I got a call from the GP saying I had to see a neurologist urgently at Colchester General Hospital.

"When I was given the news, I was in shock. I thought, this is the sort of thing which happens to other people.

"It was almost the size of a tennis ball."

Fortunately for Julie, her yearly scans have always been positive, however for the more than 10,000 people diagnosed each year, this event is for them.