A MOTHER who set up a charity in memory of her teenage daughter was left in tears following a surprise visit from a TV crew.

Alex Eades was stunned when Dr Hilary Jones from ITV’s Lorraine told her during a live broadcast she was one of three finalists for the show’s Inspirational Woman of the Year.

Mrs Eades, from Brighton, was presented with flowers and balloons before being shown a specially made video about why she had been nominated.

The presentation took place at Cardinal Newman School in Hove, where Mrs Eades works.

Charlotte Eades died at the age of 19 after developing a brain cancer called glioblastoma.

Mrs Eades and Charlotte’s brother Miles set up Charlotte’s BAG (Battle Against Glioblastoma) to raise money for research into the terminal disease.

She was nominated by charity chairwoman Cressy Brooks.

Mrs Eades said: “I am absolutely stunned by this.

“I had no idea anything was going on so it was all a bit of an early morning shock.

“I am so touched even to have been nominated and to have made it to the final three is just incredible. Charlotte has always been my inspiration and, I think, an inspiration to others as well. If I should be lucky enough to win, the award will be for Charlotte herself and not for me.

“She would have been so proud of all of this.”

In her nomination, Mrs Brooks said: “Despite her overwhelming grief at the loss of Charlotte, Alex has never given up hope that one day there will be a cure for glioblastoma.

“She has thrown every ounce of her abilities into working towards that day so that no other family has to endure the cruel process of this disease.

“Alex is an inspiration to everyone who meets her.

“She hates to be described as ‘strong’ because she says she is just doing what she has to do.

“However in my opinion she is one of the strongest women I have ever met because she has turned her loss into something which will have a positive outcome for thousands.”

The public are now being asked to vote for which of the three nominees should win the award and the winner will be revealed at the Woman of the Year Lunch on Monday.

Cardinal Newman headteacher James Kilmartin said: “We are very proud of Alex and what she has achieved with Charlotte’s BAG.

“She is a truly deserving finalist and her story is inspirational.

“We hope everyone gets voting and we will be encouraging everyone to do so.”

People can cast their vote by visiting itv.com/lorraine