THE loving friend of a young Stourbridge woman with terminal cancer is fundraising to give her the “holiday of a lifetime” with her two daughters.

Robynne Morris was diagnosed with a brain tumour three years ago, but doctors initially said it was not cancerous.

However in April this year, it was found that Robynne’s rare malignant anaplastic astrocytoma started to grow, with the 28-year-old given a terminal diagnosis.

Her best friend of 22 years, Harriet Rennie – who grew up just five doors down from Robynne in Oakfield Road, Wollescote – has now launched a fundraising page so that Robynne can spend time making memories with her two daughters.

Harriet, who now lives in Plymouth, said: “It all started three years ago when Robynne came down to visit me in Devon with her beautiful daughter Faye.

“We went out to the race karts, but while we were there she had a seizure. She was taken to hospital to have tests done and we were then told she had a benign brain tumour.”

Robynne said: “I remember going karting but my kart wouldn’t start. I went to stand on the side, and the next thing I knew I was waking up in an ambulance.

“After I had my initial tests I was told by both Corbett Hospital and the Queen Elizabeth that the tumour was benign. I was having regular MRI tests but every time they would say it’s nothing to worry about, you’ll be fine.”

After carrying on with her life as normal, Robynne had another daughter Esra, but in April this year she was shocked to find out from a routine scan that the tumour had in fact started growing.

“I went in to the QE for a brain tumour removal operation before going back a few weeks later for my results,” Robynne said. “When they told me what it was I just couldn’t believe it.

“I don’t understand why they didn’t they do a biopsy when I first had tests done. I asked the doctor if they could have caught it initially and he said ‘probably, yes’.”

Robynne has not been told how long she has left but she is currently in the process of a six-and-a-half week chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment programme.

After a four week reprieve to have tests done, she will then undergo a further year of chemotherapy to try to keep the tumour under control and prolong her life as long as possible.

Harriet said: “Robynne’s been so brave with everything she has had to go through. She doesn’t actually have a fixed home at the moment and living at the QE away from her children while she is looking for somewhere permanent to live.

“I am full of admiration for the way she has coped with everything. She’s just 28. Things like this shouldn’t be happening to people our age. It’s so wrong.

“I feel helpless that I’m far away and can’t be involved as much as I want to. I feel like I’m just a voice on the phone.

“That’s why I want to raise as much money as I can, so Robynne and her girls can go on a holiday of a lifetime, or even just a weekend break, and try and make as many happy, loving memories as possible.”

Harriet has launched a GoFundMe page – www.gofundme.com/5yz0y6w – for people to donate to Robynne and her daughters’ trip.

Robynne added: “Harriet is a brilliant friend and I’m very grateful for what she is doing. We have always been in each other’s lives and have been there for each other during both the good and difficult times.

“It would be wonderful if I could take the girls away. I’ve never been able to before, so it would really be a memorable time for all of us.”