A MOTHER with cancer who sparked a major appeal to raise thousands of pounds for pioneering treatment has died.

Sam Beaven passed away in hospital yesterday morning after developing a lung infection.

The 29-year-old had just returned from Mexico where she had been responding well to specialist hyperthermia treatment to prolong her life.

Friends have vowed to continue fundraising in Mrs Beaven’s name to secure a future for her children and support cervical cancer awareness.

Mrs Beaven, from Patcham, Brighton, was diagnosed with cervical cancer while pregnant with her younger daughter Daisy, now one.

She had been suffering from cramps and bleeding but medics put it down to her pregnancy.

The cancer was discovered when she went into premature labour and gave birth to Daisy at 26 weeks.

Mrs Beaven, a classroom assistant, immediately began treatment and appeared to be responding well but at the start of this year was given the devastating news the cancer had spread to her brain.

Family and friends launched a £70,000 fundraising campaign to raise the money needed to send her to Mexico for the revolutionary treatment.

The campaign immediately sparked a response with the community rallying around to help.

Supporters held several fundraising events and her daughter Bracken, six, even sold some of her toys on eBay to help raise money.

She had been responding well and her loved ones had hoped it would be able to prolong her life.

However, on her return to Brighton at the end of last week she developed an infection and was taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital and eventually lost her hard-fought battle for life.

Her husband Alex, 27, and the rest of the family are now coming to terms with her loss.

Close friend Wendy Campling broke the news on Facebook yesterday afternoon.

She said: “It is with a heavy heart and great sadness we have to announce our beautiful brave Sam passed away peacefully this morning.

“Sam has been fighting cervical cancer that had spread for over a year but it was an infection in her lungs that became too much (not the cancer) and took her from us.”

Ms Campling told The Argus: “She was an amazing, inspirational woman and very brave. She was such a fighter and an amazing person.

“The irony is that she had been responding well to the treatment before getting the infection. It is just so sad. We are determined to raise what we can for her children as we think that is what she would have wanted us to do.”

Catherine Demir organised the Push for Prems fundraiser for the Trevor Mann baby unit at the Royal Sussex with Mrs Beaven.

She said: “Last year she was amazing in helping with putting it all together and in that collection tin alone she had over £400. That was from her hounding people on the day to donate. Sam is going to be missed by so many people. She was an amazing young lady who never gave up the fight.

“All of us truly believed she would beat this. Our hearts are broken.”

Hopes for mother’s charity legacy to live on

MRS Beaven’s campaign caught people’s imagination with tens of thousands of pounds being raised.

Daughter Bracken offered to sell her toys on eBay to help boost funds for the fight.

Baby massage instructor Lucy Johns organised a mass massage which attracted 40 youngsters and their parents and managed to raise £2,300.

Jordan Tettersell, 22, from Peacehaven, had his hair shaved off at the Asda store in Hollingbury, Brighton, where he works.

He had heard about Mrs Beaven’s plight through his partner, who was a friend of the 29-year-old.

He had been impressed by the support of the community and wanted to do what he could to help.

Declan Clancy and John Towler, landlords at Ye Olde Black Horse pub in Rottingdean where Sam used to be a barmaid, organised a Disney fancy dress event.

Friends Catherine Gould and Amy Beckwith also had a head shave to help boost funds.

A black and white Mad Hatters Ball was held last November at The Grand hotel in Brighton and raised more than £5,000.

Mrs Beaven’s family and friends are now planning to hold another ball on October 17 with a Forest Fantasy theme.

Family friend Wendy Campling said: “This year it will be in Sam’s honour and will be a celebration of her life. We hope as many people as possible are able to come along and help boost funds for her little girl and raise awareness of cervical cancer.”

Tickets can be booked via www.ticketsource.co.uk/madhatters.

Tributes pour in for inspiring woman

HUNDREDS of tributes came pouring in online since Mrs Beaven’s death was announced.

Kayleigh Poole said: “Unbelievably cruel world in which we live, a beautiful brave lady who had so much life left.

“Thoughts and love going out to her equally brave children, husband, family and friends. May her legacy live on forever. “ Tanya Clubb said: “I'm so sorry to hear your news. I made Sam and Alex’s wedding cake and it was an honour to do so.

“My heart, thoughts and love are with you all, especially her two adorable girls. Life is cruel. Sam was a true inspiration.”

Sheree Hughes said: “This is awful news, sending my love out to her family and Friends. A brave woman who her children will always see as an amazing woman who fought hard for them.”

Hannah Jackson wrote: “Devastated. Love you Sam. It was an honour to have known you, a delight to help you and a gift that you shared your time with us. The dark night sky will shine a bit brighter now that you are there.”

Sharon Tiday said: “So sad and such a fighter too. Hearts go out to her family, especially her beautiful children.”

Kirsty Botting wrote: “Heart breaking. Strong, strong woman. I was honoured to help raise money for this lovely lady. If only we could have done it sooner.”

Keira Langman said: “So sorry to hear this. She was an inspiration and my thoughts are with her family and friends.”

Laura Butson said: “So sorry to hear the news of Sam’s passing. A brave beautiful inspiring lady who won’t be forgotten.

“Thinking of all the family at this hard time. Especially her little ones.”

Dawn Fish said: “Such sad news, was a privilege to meet Sam and care for Daisy whilst she was in the Trevor Mann baby unit.

“My deepest sympathy to all the family.”