Laura Nuttall: TikTok video of campaigner's journey goes viral

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Laura and Gracie NuttallImage source, Family photograph
Image caption,

Gracie Nuttall says she wanted to tell her sister's story in the video

A TikTok video of Laura Nuttall's cancer campaigning journey made by her sister has gone viral with more than 12 million views in little over 24 hours.

Laura was diagnosed with brain cancer at the age of 19 and made headlines after ticking off a bucket list of ambitions before her death in May.

Gracie Nuttall said she was "shocked" at how the video, external had exploded since she posted it on Tuesday.

The girls' mother said she was writing a book in her daughter's memory.

Laura, from Barrowford in Lancashire, was diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme following a routine eye test and was given just a year to live.

However, she went on to work her way through a list of ambitions, which saw her meet Michelle Obama, command a Royal Navy ship, graduate from the University of Manchester and present the weather on BBC North West Tonight.

Gracie said she wanted to tell Laura's story when she put the video together with help from a friend.

"I wanted to raise awareness of brain cancer among young people so that's why I put it on TikTok," she said.

Image source, Family photograph
Image caption,

Gracie said Laura had a wicked sense of humour

She said Laura was "barely an adult" when she was diagnosed.

"It does affect young people and they need to be aware of the symptoms," she said.

She said she had no idea it would do so well on social media - attracting more than 14,000 comments as well.

"It had a million views after just five hours," she said.

"It resonates with people. I'm shocked at the messages with how many people brain cancer has touched."

She said the support had been "incredible", with many people pledging donations to brain cancer charities.

Media caption,

Laura Nuttall's bucket list adventures

Gracie said she thinks Laura would be "really proud".

"I said in the caption I was sharing this because Laura will haunt me if I don't keep shouting about this awful disease which she would have found funny," she said.

She said Laura had a "wicked sense of humour".

Their mother Nicola said while it was "emotional" to watch the video it was "very touching" to see some previously unseen images of Laura and Gracie.

She said Laura herself would have been moved by it and it was a good way of getting the message out about brain cancer.

"It's mind-blowing how many people have seen it," she said.

Mrs Nuttall, who is continuing Laura's campaign work, will also soon officially launch the Be More Laura Foundation.

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