BRAVE brain tumour victim Emily Rhodes has danced the night away at a packed reunion party with friends in York.

The 22-year-old flew home to York from Australia last month to meet up with friends and relatives for one final time after well-wishers raised £8,000 to help fund the trip.

A big reunion party was staged at the Marygate Working Men’s Club in Marygate on Saturday evening and was a huge success, said Emily’s mother Joanne.

“It was amazing,” she said. “She danced all night long and out-classed us all.

“It was packed with all her friends; it couldn’t have gone better.

“Oh, what a night. Thank you to everyone who made it so special . We love you all.”

Emily, formerly of the Monkton Road area, who emigrated with her family to Perth four years ago, is staying with her mother, father Martin and brother Matthew in holiday accommodation in Bishophill for three weeks.

She flew back with her family in the face of doctors’ advice not to fly, and coped well with the gruelling journey.

Emily was diagnosed last year as being terminally ill with a brain tumour after suddenly suffering a seizure, and she was given 12 to 18 months to live.

She decided she wanted to return to the city where she grew up to meet up for one final time with her old friends, and also relatives who did not move to Australia.

She said earlier this year: “I would love to make beautiful memories with all my friends and family including all of you! Doesn’t matter if we haven’t kept in touch or spoken for a while, let’s get together and have a good drink, the more the merrier! And lots of laughter.”

Friends launched an appeal to raise £5,000 towards the cost of the trip and the appeal total reached £8,000 last month after a successful family fun day held at New Earswick Sports Club raised £1,500.

Other fundraising events and activities included a raffle with a difference, in which the winner got to get their choice of phrase tattooed on the leg of family friend Phil Bell

Emily told The Press after her return home how last month how much it meant to be back where she grew up and be with all her friends, and how ‘humble and overwhelmed’ she felt by everyone’s support.