Tributes pour in for "˜truly inspirational"™ young Rotarian

Rotary GB&I president Eve Conway has praised the tireless dedication of Newton Aycliffe brain tumour victim, research campaigner and honorary Rotarian Anna Louise Swabey who died at the age of 25 on September 16 - the day before her wedding.

The story of Anna’s brave battle against the disease, her non-stop campaign to raise funds for more research, and her tragic death so close to the day she was to marry the love of her life has been reported on television, radio and in newspapers around the world.

Eve took a close interest in Anna’s well-being and insisted on being kept up to date with all developments.

In a message to the family, she wrote: “Anna was an inspiration to us all. We are saddened to lose such a precious person who truly made a difference in her short life. She was an outstanding Rotary Young Citizen of the Year winner and a wonderful, beautiful, brave person – an example to us all. She touched the life of everyone she met.”

Anna died 20 months after being diagnosed with a particularly aggressive form of brain tumour without knowing that she had reached her£100,000 research target or that she was about to be honoured by Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland with its highest accolade – a Paul Harris Fellowship. It will now be presented to her family.

Newton Aycliffe Rotary President Nora Scott was one of the first to pay tribute to Anna and said: “Members took Anna to their hearts from the moment she came to the club to talk about her campaign to raise awareness of the need for more government funding for brain tumour research. Everyone was impressed by her determination not only to secure a better deal for other brain tumour victims but also to battle her illness - even though she knew that no new treatment of any kind would benefit her personally. Anna was an example to us all how to overcome our problems and work and feel for others. She was a truly inspirational young woman.”