A CAMPAIGNER is calling on children to dig deep and help raise awareness of the symptoms of brain tumours after the death of her best friend.

Elisabeth Devey, from Rishton has launched a 10p challenge in a bid to raise £100,000 for the Brain Tumour Charity and make one million people aware of the symptoms.

The 35-year-old support worker was left devastated by the death of her best friend Natalie Wilson in April last year after she lived with the condition for eight years.

Elisabeth will be visiting schools across the area to hand out HeadSmart symptom cards and ask for 10p donations.

She has already visited Accrington Academy and St Peter's and St Paul's CE Primary School in Rishton.

No stranger to fundraising, she has already jumped out of a plane, run a marathon and shaved her head for the charity.

She described Natalie, 35, who live in Wythburn Close, Burnley as 'mother to a beautiful little girl, loving wife, daughter, sister and aunty'.

She said: "We were 12-years-old when we met and we were best friends.

"She got a brain tumour about eight years ago. They did an operation but could not get rid of it.

"She was living with it and even ran a marathon but three years ago her symptoms changed and we realised it had come back.

"They did operate but she never got back to full health.

"She fought for a long time but died in April."

Elisabeth said she want to raise awareness as a lot of the signs and symptoms go undiagnosed.

"It is part of a larger campaign by the Brain Tumour Charity. We want to get these cards out to young people. Older people can take themselves to the doctors," she said.

The signs and symptoms can be different for babies, children and teenagers but include persistent vomiting, balance problems, seizures and behaviour changes.

As well as visiting schools including Accrington Academy, Westholme School in Blackburn, Haslingden High School and Blessed Trinity RC College in Burnley, she will reach out to businesses and clubs.

Andrew O’Brien, Accrington Academy principal, said: "We are only too pleased to help support Elisabeth with this incredibly important work and are also grateful to her for sharing lifesaving tips with students and staff about the early identification of brain tumours."

For more information visit www.headsmart.org.uk.