Swimmer Archie Goodburn to meet prime minister over cancer funding

During his appearance on BBC Breakfast, Goodburn called for more resource to be put into research and care, and for clinical trials happening elsewhere to be brought to the UK.

“Please establish a national brain cancer lead and give us a chance to fight for our lives because the things that patients are going through out there are unbelievable and so unjust,” he said.

“There are clinical trials around the world, in the US, in Australia, in China, that could change lives. We are not seeing them in the UK and it is unfair and unjust.

“Please invest and make the difference. I’m on my knees begging for – not just my own life – but for those of my best friends and those that are affected and the families around the country.”

Goodburn added: “This has to change. It’s been going for too long and the suffering is unbearable.”

Before the meeting, Goodburn said he hoped it would be a “unique opportunity for change”.

“We cannot accept the status quo in the system, we cannot be risk-averse. People are dying,” he said.

“My advocacy has opened doors to have conversations at the highest level of government about the injustices faced by the brain tumour community and campaign for change for myself and for them.

“But I hope I can also inspire people on an individual level.”