A Norwich doctor fighting a brain tumour has been named as one of the world's most inspiring sailors.

Josie Phillips, who circumnavigated Britain last year to raise funds for two cancer charities, is among 10 great adventurers singled out and paid tribute to on international website Sail-World.com.

The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital junior doctor was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2005 and then discovered in 2008 that it had become malignant.

As she underwent gruelling treatment, she and her husband Roger set about arranging the round Britain sailing trip, which raised more than �16,000 for the charities Brain Tumour Research and The Big C.

She set off in May last year and, as reported in the Evening News, returned in September.

'I was quite surprised to be up against famous sailors and people who have done amazing challenges', she said. 'One of them has sailed around the world; I was quite surprised to be listed among them. It re-emphasises that what I've done is a good challenge. It reminds us of how proud we are of what we did last year.'

The 28-year-old, who lives on Newmarket Street in the Golden Triangle, said: 'I was feeling extremely low while undergoing chemo and radiotherapy, and so my husband, Roger, and I dreamt up this challenge for when I felt well enough. I had only started sailing when I met Roger in 2003 and then it was only dinghies. I didn't start learning to sail yachts until March 2009 when we bought Nordlys, our trusty Contessa 32, which has taken us all round Britain. Completing the challenge has brought me some wonderful memories and feelings of real achievement, but I am very conscious of how little is known about brain tumours and how there needs to be a huge amount more research into what causes them, how to prevent them and how to treat them.

'With the knowledge that the survival rate for brain tumours is 14pc compared with 50pc for most other cancers, I live between my six monthly MRI scans and will be holding my breath in a couple of months when I go for my next one.'

To donate go to www.justgiving.com/roundbritainwithabraintumour-braintumourresearch or send a cheque payable to Brain Tumour Research and marked Josie Phillips to Brain Tumour Research, The Business Centre, Padbury Hill Farm, Padbury, Buckingham, Bucks MK18 2BN. Or go to www.contessa32.co.uk

Are you doing something to raise money for charity. Contact Annabelle Dickson on 01603 772426.