The bowel cancer research fund set up by the late Dame Deborah James has raised £11.3m.

Money from the Bowelbabe fund is now being distributed by Cancer Research UK to projects trying to advance studies into the disease Dame Deborah was diagnosed with in 2016.

She became a campaigner on the issue of bowel cancer, encouraging the public to know the signs and to get checked.

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It raised more than £1m in the 24 hours after its launch last May. This came at the same time Deborah announced she would be undergoing end-of-life care at her parents’ home in Surrey.

She died last June, at the age of 40.

On Wednesday, Cancer Research UK said which projects would initially receive cash from the Bowelbabe fund, including a study that will look at the beginnings of a new precision treatment that could stop the spread of bowel cancer, led by the Centre for Evolution and Cancer at the Institute of Cancer Research, London.

Another project will look at targeting microbes that might cause cancer, with researchers already making discoveries about the type of bacteria in people under 50 that could increase the risk of the disease.

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A further study from Queen Mary University of London will look at using artificial intelligence and blood tests to detect the earliest signs of cancer.

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More projects to receive funding will be announced later in the year.

Dame Deborah’s husband, Sebastien Bowen, said: “I’m immensely proud and humbled to continue the work that Deborah started.

“As a family, we’ve been overwhelmed by all the support the fund has received, and to raise £11.3 million is just incredible.

“We’ve taken some time to select the first round of funded projects, and are pleased to announce them today.

“There is some fantastic, cutting-edge bowel cancer research and brilliant awareness activity taking place, and we know that Deborah would be behind this every step of the way.”

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Chief executive of Cancer Research UK Michelle Mitchell said: “Dame Deborah James was a force of nature, doing all she could to raise awareness, fundraise and campaign.

“The overwhelming support the fund has received is a true testament to how many lives she touched.

“We’re deeply honoured to be working with Deborah’s family to continue her legacy through the Bowelbabe Fund and are grateful to everyone who has donated.

“The fund will be fuelled by Deborah’s spirit of rebellious hope, and the projects announced today are the first step in continuing Dame Deborah’s legacy to bring hope for a better future for people affected by cancer.”

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