A woman who lost her husband to an incurable brain tumour has raised thousands of pounds to help fund research into a cure.

Mark Calaz, 52, who worked at Slades of Devizes dealership, was diagnosed with glioblastoma in late 2019 and given 18 months to live.

He and his wife Mandy were shocked by the "ridiculously low" levels of research funding for brain tumours, which spurred them to start fundraising for Brain Tumour Research.

After surgery, Mr Calaz underwent radiotherapy and chemotherapy, but the latter had to be stopped prematurely because it upset his liver.

Mark and Mandy CalazMark and Mandy Calaz (Image: Brain Tumour Research) His treatment caused short-term memory problems and extreme fatigue, and he died in July 2021, 18 months after his diagnosis.

Ms Calaz said: "Mark and I first met in 1994 when I joined the Army Cadet Force, although it wasn’t until 2007 that we got together as a couple.

"Mark was super fit and responsible for the Wiltshire cadets working towards their Duke of Edinburgh Awards."

She added: "Every day is a struggle since Mark passed away. I have so many bittersweet memories of the laughs we used to have."

On October 3, Ms Calaz and her friends were invited by Brain Tumour Research to its Centre of Excellence at the University of Plymouth.

Ms Calaz was there to see how her fundraising supports scientists researching brain tumours.

Mandy and Mark CalazMandy and Mark Calaz (Image: Brain Tumour Research) Her visit coincided with an announcement that scientists at Plymouth had discovered a new approach for treating certain types of brain tumours.

After losing her husband, Ms Calaz established M & M Adventures, a fundraising group under Brain Tumour Research and has raised more than £13,300 so far.

She said: "I hope the money we’ve donated is life-changing and will help make a difference for people diagnosed with a brain tumour in the future so that families don’t have to go through what we have.

"It is encouraging to hear from the scientists about the work being done in their quest to find a cure, which can’t come soon enough."

Louise Aubrey, community development manager for Brain Tumour Research, added: "We’re really grateful to Mandy and supporters of M & M Adventures for their incredible support and generosity.

"We hope that their visit to our Centre of Excellence at the University of Plymouth offered a useful insight into all we’re doing to improve treatment options for patients and, ultimately, find a cure."