Jeremy Hunt's brother Charlie dies of cancer

Charlie and Jeremy Hunt ran the London Marathon to raise money for charities including Sarcoma UK last year

Jeremy Hunt mourns to his brother, who died two weeks after the chancellor opened up about his battle with cancer.

Charlie Hunt, a father of three, died peacefully on Aug. 2 at the age of 53, his family said in a statement. In 2020, the businessman was diagnosed with sarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer.

In an interview with the Daily Mail last month, the chancellor spoke about how cancer has affected his family, including himself. He said: «My brother is fine, but like many families with cancer, this is life changing.»

The chancellor revealed that he was diagnosed with skin cancer after he noticed a mole on his head «that just kept growing and growing». He said he removed it, adding: “I have been blessed. It was not a life-threatening cancer and was discovered relatively early.

“I was given excellent treatment in the NHS to have it removed, but I know very well my family members who have had much more difficult struggles with cancer, and I know what families are going through all over the country.”

“The Big Battle”

His younger brother described his «huge battle» with the disease when the two ran the London Marathon to raise money for charity last year. On his JustGiving page, he wrote that he underwent major surgery on his right leg, not knowing if he would ever be able to walk or run again.

«Since then, the battle has continued with surgery on both of my lungs,» he added «I've been in and out of the hospital quite often but have received excellent treatment in the NHS and am still struggling almost three years later», but added «I'm so glad I actually still have this leg and I'm here raising funds for these great causes.»

The Hunts have raised over £22,000 for Sarcoma UK and the Royal Surrey Cancer and Surgical Innovation Centre. Through a series of charity events, including runs and bike rides, the couple and their friends have raised £300,000 for the centre, which will treat more than 7,000 patients a year.

In his interview, the chancellor also talked about how cancer took both of his parents. His father, Admiral Sir Nicholas Hunt of the Royal Navy, died at the age of 82 in 2013, and his mother, Lady Meriel, died last year at the age of 84.