SUPERMODEL Caprice Bourret has launched an appeal in honour of Colchester mum Gemma Edgar, who lost her battle with an incurable brain tumour.

Launching the appeal online for the Brain Tumour Research charity, Caprice said it was in Gemma’s “dying wish” to boost funding for research.

Mum-of-two Gemma Edgar, 33, from Colchester, died just days before Christmas.

Caprice, a patron for the charity and who herself had a brain tumour, said she wanted people to know her friend’s story.

In the online video, Caprice speaks of the “instant bond” she had with the former paediatric nurse.

The pair first met a year ago when they attended an event at the Brain Tumour Research charity’s headquarters in Milton Keynes.

The video also shows one of the visits the model made to Gemma at St Helena Hospice in Colchester, where the keen runner spent her final weeks.

Mum-of two-Caprice - who had surgery for a low grade brain tumour in 2017 - said: “I am doing this for Gemma, she was such a bright, beautiful, loving mum and she deserved so much better.

“She wanted people to know her story and I hope this film will help her to achieve that. I will never forget her.”

Caprice’s brain tumour proved benign but was fast growing and risked leaving her blind and paralysed.

Caprice, 46, continued: “I can’t imagine what those boys must be going through and I can’t imagine what Gemma was going through .

“Let’s get closer to finding a cure, we are progressing so much.

“We’ve got to keep up with the research, we need the funds.”

In the four years since Gemma was told she had a brain tumour, her friends and family have raised almost £30,000 for Brain Tumour Research.

They have also collected an additional £20,000 for the Children’s Eye Cancer Trust after her youngest son, Noah, now four, lost an eye to cancer.

Gemma was diagnosed with the tumour just eight weeks after Noah’s birth.

Gemma’s dad Andy Relf added: “Gemma bonded with Caprice the first time they met.

“Caprice was a great support during Gemma’s period in the hospice, not only as a friend to Gemma but to us also.

“We were very touched that she gave up her time to visit Gemma and give her comfort.”

“As a family we are honoured that Caprice is promoting Gemma’s story. Not only does it help keep Gemma’s memory alive, but it will raise awareness of the urgent need for proper funding into brain tumour research.

“We need a cure to be found to give other families who find themselves in Gemma’s situation a happier outcome.”

To see Caprice’s appeal and donate, go to www.braintumourresearch.org/donation/gemma-edgar.