I feel Charlotte is with us every step of the way

Her daughter Charlotte passed away just a few days after her nineteenth birthday as brain cancer she had been diagnosed with less than three years earlier finally took its toll.

The last 12 months have been a difficult time for Mrs Eades, her son Miles, 22 and the rest of the family as they struggled to come to terms with their loss.

They are comforted by the fact they are helping Charlotte’s memory live on through setting up a charity in her name.

It is dedicated to raising funds for research into and awareness of glioblastoma, a rare and rapidly growing cancer which many know little about.

Charlotte inspired thousands around the world with a series of vlogs she uploaded on to You Tube, giving regular updates on living with glioblastoma and how she was coping.

The humorous, emotional and frank messages also gave her a chance to talk about her love of fashion- especially bags.

Mrs Eades, from Brighton said the last year had been filled with ups and downs but the family were focusing on the charity,

She said: “The ups have been the 200 mile plus walk from Eastbourne to Winchester and back again which Miles and I did for the charity.

“I hated quite a lot of it when I was aching all over, covered with blisters and insect bites and could barely put one foot in front of the other, but it was a major achievement and something we could do for Charlotte's memory.

“It also raised a lot of money and helped us form our charity plans. I also felt Charlotte was with us for every mile of the way.

“Getting the charity going, doing the launch event and everything that has followed is also a huge up, again because we feel we are achieving something.

The downs - well they are deeper than anyone who has not lost a child could possibly know.

“Being a bereaved parent is like being in a club that no one wants to join and I would not wish it on anyone.

“I have lost my only daughter. She was my best girl friend and we were closer than I can possibly explain.

“All the usual words for grieving are sort of irrelevant when you lose your child because when your child dies, not only their future but yours too has died.

“But even when things are bleak there are still things that give me hope because I know Charlotte would never want me to give up.”

When she was at school Charlotte was badly bullied and suffered crippling anxiety problems, but when she was diagnosed at the age of 16 she decided she was not going to let anything beat her any more.

It was at this point she began to stand up for herself and do what she could to help others.

Mrs Eades said: “She became much more confident and much more assertive.

“She took what was given to her and somehow turned it into something positive - for herself and for others - for as long as she could.

“I am incredibly proud of her. I would have been proud of her anyway because she was the best daughter any mother could ask for, but yes, I am proud.”

Among Mrs Eades’ favourite memories of her daughter are numerous but they include how how much they laughed together, her love of prosecco and her many shopping trips.

She said: “I try to remember the fun and laughter as much as I can. She adored her cat Nala, and having Nala around is like a link to Charlotte.

“Nala loved the fact that Charlotte spent a lot of time in bed or on the sofa watching film, and would cuddle up cosily and purr away. Charlotte liked that.”

Charlotte became well known for her vlogs, and ended up with national recognition from charities for her efforts.

Her family say the vlogging was just something she decided to do one day and they agreed to it.

Mrs Eades said: “I don’t think we thought anything would come of it but she enjoyed doing it and kept on and people found her online and they liked and followed her.

“I know they made a difference to other people. We have a section on the website called tributes where people have written what they thought about Charlotte and they are all amazing.

“People who followed her were old, young, with cancer or without and in the UK or abroad but they saw something they liked in her.

“She loved her vlog and it gave her a real sense of purpose. When she became more ill it was her window on the world in a way.

“We've since been told that her vlogs are unique because they are the only visual documentation of what glioblastoma does to a person and they are being used by various companies for staff training purposes.

“That's kind of weird to think about but I think Charlotte would have been pleased.”

The family set up the charity Charlotte’s Battle Against Glioblastoma (Bag) last year with the aim of supporting research being carried out at King’s College Hospital in London, where Charlotte was treated.

They were helped by family friend and fellow charity trustee Cressy Brooks and the organisation is now beginning to make its presence felt with a social media drive and fundraising events.

Mrs Eades said: “It's funny because everyone probably thinks it must be quite miserable having a charity for your daughter who has died.

“But actually it is a way for us to do something positive and despite how it seems, we are all determined we are going to enjoy this as much as we can.

“Charlotte had a great sense of humour and I can often hear her laughing in my head at some of the things the three of us do and say.

“The response so far has been absolutely amazing. It is still early days for us but we are near the £11,000 mark and there is lots of stuff in the pipeline which will be significant.

“One thing you learn is how very kind complete strangers can be, and that is lovely.”

One year on, the family’s main desire for the future is for a cure for glioblastoma to be found.

Mrs Eades said: “It is a truly horrible disease. It destroys physical abilities while leaving the mind inside intact.

“That is just unbearably cruel, not only for the patient but for their loved ones too.

“We think a breakthrough is actually achievable, and maybe in the fairly short term if we can raise enough money.

“Everyone tells you that glioblastoma is so rare - but it really isn’t.

“I know of one London hospital which has 300 patients a year and so many people have got in touch with the charity to tell us about their own family's experience.

“Brain cancer of any kind receives just one per cent of national cancer funding per year and there have been no breakthroughs for almost 20 years.

“It isn’t impossible to beat, just very hard. Without research and investment it will remain what it currently is - which is a killer.

“Even a 'benign' brain tumour won’t necessarily stay benign for long. So our view is, start with the most difficult - glioblastoma - and the rest will follow.”

Mrs Eades and the family believe Charlotte would be happy with what they are doing in her name.

She said: “I really hope she'd approve and I'm pretty sure she would. Miles, Cressy and I feel she is with us every step of the way.”

To find out more about the charity and make a donation, visit charlottesbag.com.