Burnham invites swimmer Archie Goodburn to meeting after brain cancer funding plea
On 4 August 2026 Prime Minister Andy Burnham invited Scottish swimmer Archie Goodburn to a personal meeting after Goodburn made an emotional plea for greater brain cancer funding on BBC Breakfast, with Burnham replying to the swimmer’s video on TikTok.
Goodburn, 25, was diagnosed with inoperable brain tumours just over two years ago and has campaigned for a larger focus on the disease; tears rolling down his face, he implored "give us a chance to fight for our lives" while speaking about the subject on BBC Breakfast. During the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow he said: "One of my dreams is that we see a future where brain cancer isn't the biggest killer of patients under 40." He has since used his profile to press for changes to research and treatment access.
Replying to Goodburn's TikTok video, Burnham wrote: "Archie, thank you for this. I know how hard it must have been." He added: "What you're doing for other people while you're going through all this yourself shows the best of us." Burnham also said: "I'd really like to meet you and hear from you directly".
Goodburn directed a separate appeal to Downing Street, saying: "Andy Burnham, if you believe and want to make a change and a difference to the future of our country and our young population, please listen to us. 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 went on: "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. This has to change. It's been going for too long and the suffering is unbearable."
Goodburn commented on the Rare Cancers Bill, which "became law earlier this year" and was "led by Scott Arthur MP"; he described it as "a step in the right direction but it's not going to make the changes that we need." He said: "I'm extremely grateful for Dr Scott Arthur and the work he's done there." He noted the bill "covers 14 different types of rare cancers" and argued brain cancer differs "in terms of the number of deaths it causes." He criticised the bill's proposed roles, saying: "The rare cancers bill establishes two new positions: a clinical lead and a research lead. These two roles are part-time across 14 different types of cancers and they accumulate to 36 days a year... There's two roles to cover 14 different types of cancer and change the landscape of treatment. I do not see how 36 days a year is going to make that change for 14 different types of cancers, let alone the most deadly type of cancer."
The Commonwealth Games in Glasgow provided a public platform for Goodburn, who reached the 50m breaststroke final and did not win a medal. The swimmer said of competing at the Games: "It was an honour to compete in front of such a fantastic and supportive home crowd." He added: "To see the support off the back of those interviews has been really, really touching and inspiring. In that moment I was speaking about what felt important to me and the crowd were very supportive of my journey, and it only felt right to address that when I got out the pool. What I do in the pool is only possible because of the medical advances that have been made and the campaign that's been done by the whole community. It was really a chance to give back and make sure that momentum keeps going."
On why he continues to campaign, Goodburn said: "I partly feel like why we don't hear so much about brain cancer and why the awareness is so poor is because patients unfortunately die so quickly." He stated: "I have this prognosis which is slightly longer and it's given me this time to advocate - it's two years since I was diagnosed." He concluded: "I think when you're really backed up against a wall like that there's only really one way to go and that's to go and fight."
Burnham closed his public reply by saying he would take the discussion forward: "I've asked my team to get in touch."