THE grieving parents of a young mum who lost her battle with a brain tumour are urging people to support a charity run in her name.

Mum-of-two Gemma Edgar, from Colchester, died last year aged 33.

She left behind her two sons, Dylan, seven, and Noah, five.

A charity run has been set up in her name to mark the year anniversary of her death.

Speaking publicly for the first time since their daughter died, Gemma’s parents are urging people to sign up to the Run for Gem.

Gemma’s dad, Andy Relf, said: “We regularly have runners who we’ve never met before approach us and tell us what an inspiration Gemma was.

“We would love Run for Gem to grow and become an annual fixture in Gem’s memory to promote and benefit both Brain Tumour Research and St Helena Hospice.

“It’s tough for us both remembering Gem’s deterioration this time last year and then actually losing our beloved daughter.

“We are planning to mark the first anniversary quietly and privately.”

The 5km run will take place in Castle Park on December 7.

Gemma’s friend Cara Greenley organised the first Run for Gem last December while Gemma was at St Helena Hospice.

The pair had been friends since they were both teenagers at St Helena School in Colchester and both trained with the Running Colchester group, running the London Marathon together last year.

Gemma was still having chemotherapy at the time.

The Run for Gem, which is to be an annual event, will raise funds once again for the hospice, as well as the charity Brain Tumour Research for which Gemma and her family have raised more than £27,000.

While visiting the charity’s head office in Milton Keynes for a campaign event, Gemma and her mum, Barbara, met businesswoman, supermodel and brain tumour survivor Caprice Bourret.

The two mums, both with two young boys, bonded over their shared experiences and Caprice went on to visit Gemma twice while she was being cared for at the hospice.

A paediatric nurse at Colchester Hospital, Gemma was diagnosed with the high-grade brain tumour in 2014, aged 29.

It came after a few days of migraine-type symptoms and just eight weeks after the birth of her youngest son.

Noah went on to endure his own battle with retinoblastoma – a form of eye cancer.

Despite surgery and treatment, nothing could be done to save Gemma and she died on December 19 last year.

Cara said: “It’s hard to believe a year ago Gemma was still here and fighting the most courageous battle.

“Continuing to fundraise has been my main objective for this year in memory of Gemma.

“I truly believe Gemma is always with us, looking down with a smile at all of us who continue to raise money for the charities she supported so passionately since her diagnosis.

“She has brought so many people together and raise so much awareness. It is overwhelming how the community have responded in her memory and the difference Gemma has made.”

To take part, search for “Run for Gem – 1 year anniversary 2019” on Facebook or email

carah62222@gmail.com.

To donate to Brain Tumour Research go to justgiving.com/fundraising/cara-greenley3.

To donate to St Helena Hospice go tojustgiving.com/fundraising/cara-greenley4.