Bury student's legacy continues as family campaign at Downing Street

Matthew Pullan, 18, from Bury, was diagnosed with an ependymoma, a primary central nervous system tumour, aged three and campaigned to raise awareness of brain tumours before he died on September 9, 2021.

On Tuesday, July 4, Matthew’s dad, Gary Pullan, 44, and step-mum, Claire Pullan, 45, went to a reception in Downing Street for local NHS champions, hosted by Health Secretary, Steve Barclay.

Matthew Pullan (left) Alex Pullan (Right) (Image: Archive)

Gary, who has been a North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) paramedic for 25 years, said: “Matthew was proud to support Brain Tumour Research, alongside his brother, Alex.

Radcliffe AC run to raise £10k for Brain Tumour Research

“He was extremely focused in everything he did - blogging about his cancer journey, engaging with politicians and helping to build a social media community for other people affected by this hideous disease.

“We are so proud of all Matthew achieved and vow to continue supporting Brain Tumour Research in his honour.

“Matthew’s motto was ‘life is terminal – it is our job to live it'.

"I, for one, will try my very best to embody this amazing positivity, in memory of my beloved son."

Matthew Pullan (Image: Brain Tumour Research)

Matthew, who was a former Bury College student, made a good recovery after his initial diagnosis and enjoyed several years of stable MRI scans.

But, in June 2020, he was diagnosed with a new tumour and underwent surgery, followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Inspirational Bury teen dies after brave battle with a brain tumour

Just over a year later his condition deteriorated significantly, and an emergency MRI scan confirmed the cancer had spread to other parts of his brain.

Gary and Claire Pullan (Image: Brain Tumour Research)

Since then, Gary and his wife, Claire, who was also a NWAS paramedic for 24 years, have been campaigning alongside the Brain Tumour Research charity to help reach 100,000 signatures, in hope of prompting a parliamentary debate.

Gary said: “The government needs to invest much more into brain tumours because so much is still unknown about them.

“It is so frustrating - if there are other treatments, they should be on the NHS. Something must be done to improve the situation.”

Bury North MP James Daly joined Gary and Claire at Downing Street, who said their accomplishments raising money after losing their son to a brain tumour have been truly remarkable.

Gary and Matthew Pullan (Image: Brain Tumour Research)

The charity is calling on the government to ring-fence £110m of current and new funding to increase the national investment in brain tumour research to £35m a year by 2028 and to recognise brain tumour research as a critical priority.

Matthew Price, community development manager at Brain Tumour Research, said: “For too long governments have put brain tumours on the ‘too difficult to think about’ pile.

Radcliffe AC and Matthew Pullan (Image: Archive)

“If everyone can spare just a few minutes to sign and share, we will soon hit the 100,000 signatures we need and help find a cure, bringing hope to families whose loved ones have been affected by brain tumours.”

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “Brain cancer can be a devastating disease - which is why we’ve specifically allocated £40million for research in this area, on top of £1billion a year for wider health research.

“We’ve invested in every suitable application made and the funding will continue to be available for further studies to develop new treatments and therapies for brain tumours.

“To encourage further successful applications, we are investing in infrastructure, workshops for researchers and training for clinicians.”

To sign and share the petition before it closes at the end of October 2023, go to www.braintumourresearch.org/petition    

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