THE family of a 36-year-old mother who died of breast cancer held a fundraising day to mark the first anniversary of her death.

Sam Young, a marketing manager from Grange Park, lost her two and half-year battle against cancer on June 17 last year, leaving behind her daughter Charlotte who is now aged eight.

Her mother Brenda Webb, 63, and sister Maxine Thacker, 40, organised the event at Lydiard Park for two charities that help victims of the disease Prospect Hospice and the Lavender Trust.

Friends, colleagues and members of the public turned out to honour Sam's memory as well as take part in the activities on offer, which included a bouncy castle, a silent auction and a raffle.

Brenda, who lives in Grange Park, said: "Sam has left a big gap, everybody is missing her. She had a beautiful smile and everybody loved her.

"We were very close, we did everything together. I was with her right at the end. I was holding her hand, she opened her eyes and squeezed my hand and then I lost her."

Sam was diagnosed with cancer in her left breast and had a mastectomy in July 2001. Then in August the following year she found a lump in her right breast and underwent another mastectomy.

Last June, her oncologist told her that the cancer had invaded her liver and she had about three months left to live.

Brenda added: "I think she went into some kind of emotional shock because she saw the doctor on the Monday and we lost her the next week.

"Sammy had left it a couple of months before going to see a doctor. She thought she had a blocked milk duct.

"Most young people think it has to be a lump for it to be cancer so we wanted to do something to raise awareness about it.

"She had a very aggressive strain and it happened very quickly. She spent one night at the Prospect Hospice.

"But she had a lot of support from Macmillan nurses. They used to come and talk it through with her and they were a tremendous support."

Sam's sister Maxine, who now lives in Glasgow, said: "After we lost Sam, we started thinking about the whole process and what she had gone through. After talking to young people we realised how little they knew about the symptoms.

"Mum and I thought it was our duty to try to raise awareness among other young people and let them know how important early screening is."

Each year, an estimated 8, 000 women under the age of 50 are diagnosed with breast cancer.

The Lavender Trust provides support for sufferers and information for younger women. Women should learn to examine their own breasts for unusual lumps.

If any are found, they should see their GP.

Women over the age of 50 are seen by the breast screening service routinely.

The Prospect Hospice in Wroughton, cares for patients with life limiting illnesses.

www.lavendertrust.org.uk

www.prospect-hospice.org.uk