AN 'inspirational' grandmother who fought a rare but deadly eye cancer has died

Patricia Morris was given just nine months to live after the killer disease spread to her liver in 2013 but finally passed away on Tuesday August 22.

She spent the last four years and three months of her life travelling 500 miles every three weeks for experimental treatment in Southampton.

The 58-year-old from Blackburn has been praised as 'inspirational', 'brave' and 'determined' by her daughter Kate Hargreaves and former Blackburn MP Jack Straw.

Mrs Morris, of Langham Road, who had worked as a teaching assistant at St James’ Primary in Lower Darwen, was diagnosed with ocular melanoma, which affects between 400 and 500 people each year, in her right eye in 2010.

In April 2013, the mother-of-three was given the devastating news that the cancer had spread to her liver, where four large tumours were found.

The normal life-expectancy for her condition at that point was six to nine months.

From then on she was taken by Kate and her son-in law Stuart every three weeks for pioneering treatment at Southampton University Hospital by leading experimental cancer specialist Professor Christian Ottensmeier.

After Mr Straw failed to secure NHS cash for Mrs Morris's treatment, it was paid for through fundraising efforts by family and friends and drug company-finance for experimental therapies.

She leaves three children, Kate, 35, Vicky, 36, and Harry (19), twin step-children Nikki and Shelley, 38, seven grandchildren and husband Anthony.

Her funeral will be at Scared Hart RC Church on Preston New Road at 9.45am on Thursday September 7

Kate, who lives with Stuart and sons Ted, 7, and Max, 5, in Mill Hill, said: "I think the best word for my mother was inspirational.

"She was very brave and determined and put herself forward for any experimental treatment in the hope it could help others.

"The fact she survived for more than four years after being given nine months to live is a tribute to her spirit.

"She never lost her zest for life and lived life to the full at home until Friday when she was transferred to the East Lancashire Hospice.

"Mum had a good quality of life to the end.

"My mother never gave up and was always there to give advice to other sufferers despite at one point risking losing her house to pay for treatment.

"That never happened and between drug company experimental treatment money and fundraising by friends and family we found the thousands needed for the many operations and visits to hospitals including Wythenshawe, The Clatterbridge Institute in Liverpool and the Rosemere unit in Preston.

"If I remember anything about her it will be her smile which never left her.

"She was her grandchildren's world.

"Since she died we had so many messages from fellow cancer sufferers saying she was an inspiration to them and gave them hope.

"My mother's main aim was to help other suffers and get the experimental treatments which prolonged her life to the point where the NHS will fund treatment for ocular melanoma.

"The funeral will be a celebration of mum's life and all her achievements, a memorable event to treasure and remember what a truly remarkable person she was. "

Mr Straw said: "I remember Mrs Morris as inspirational and I am sad I could not secure NHS treatment for her.

"She was clearly a very brave and very determined woman and my condolences go to her family.

"Her death is very sad.

"I hope that her example and treatment will lead to the research getting to the point where treatment for this rare but deadly disease can be provided on the NHS."

Kate said former England test cricketer Kevin Pietersen, who lost a friend to ocular melanoma, was continuing to organise events to raise money for research and treatment into the condition.