Dame Deborah would be 'thrilled' at fund's use

Dame Deborah James died aged 40 in 2022

Dame Deborah James's father says she would be "thrilled" her Bowelbabe campaign has helped fund cutting edge cancer treatment at her former hospital.

The fund Dame Deborah set up before her death donated £1m to The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.

The cancer campaigner, blogger, broadcaster and former teacher died aged 40 in 2022, five years after her stage four bowel cancer diagnosis.

A new interventional radiology machine has been set up at The Royal Marsden, where Dame Deborah received cancer treatment before her death.

Her father Alastair James told BBC Breakfast: "I think Deborah would have been so thrilled about the impact that's been made, that people still remember it."

He said his daughter "loved and respected" the team at The Royal Marsden who supported her for five years and that this donation was partly to "say a big thank you on Deborah's behalf".

The hospital's interventional radiology suite will be named after Dame Deborah.

Mr James said there has been a "hole" in their lives since her death but they "remember her with love and pride and enjoyment".

"We also all remember, like so many people, if you can, you've got to get out and live your life to the full.

"Live every day, make the most of it, and make memories."

She was honoured with a damehood for her "tireless" work improving awareness of the disease, which was personally conferred by the Prince of Wales during a surprise visit to her parents' house in Woking, Surrey.