THE family of an inspirational woman who battled cancer beyond her doctors’ expectations have paid tribute to her exceptional courage.

Sheenagh Scott, 45, from Darwen, reached the end of the three months that doctors said she had left to live in July.

But she would not let that prediction or her worsening illness stop her from raising money for East Lancashire Hospice.

The grandmother and mum-of-two died at home on August 2 – something she was able to arrange with the help of hospice staff.

Sheenagh’s sister Rhona Eccles, 44, said: “She wanted to come home and they made her comfortable with her family around her.

“She put up a good fight – she was a fighter. Even at the end she asked me to hold her hand and then told me off for holding it too tight!”

Sheenagh was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006.

She managed to defeat the disease, but seven months ago she developed a secondary lung cancer, which could not be treated.

To say thank you to the hospice in Park Lee Road, Blackburn where she received treatment, Sheenagh and her family decided to sell all the stock left over from her Accrington Market stall, including jewellery, handbags and scarves, and hold a raffle, tombola and auction.

The event at the Entwistle Pub in Darwen last month raised £1,500 for the Lancashire Telegraph’s Raise the Roof appeal.

The campaign aims to raise £125,000 to build a new roof over the inpatients unit at East Lancashire Hospice.

A pink memorial service for Sheenagh was held at St Peter’s Church in Darwen last Tuesday.

Rhona said: “Everybody did her proud. She asked everybody to wear something pink and her boys Ben and Macauley had pink shirts and suits on.

“She always said she wasn’t bitter about her cancer, she was just angry.

“In my tribute I said she was very brave and that we were all proud of her.

“She didn’t give up, she got tired and she had had enough.”

How to donate

  • By text - Send ROOF to 70700. Texts cost £5 plus network charge. East Lancashire Hospice receives at least £4.45. Obtain bill payers permission. Customer care 08448479800.

    Charity No 1075653.

  • Online - At eastlancshospice.org.uk/roof-appeal. Remember to add the word ‘roof’ in the comments section so it is clear the donation is for this appeal.
  • At a bank - Make a payment at any Yorkshire Bank, Account No 22741541, Sort Code 05-02-52. Locally there are branches in Accrington, Barnoldswick, Blackburn, Burnley, Chorley, Clitheroe, Colne, Nelson and Todmorden.
  • By post - Send a cheque to Roof Appeal, East Lancashire Hospice, Park Lee Road, Blackburn, BB2 3NY.
  • By phone - Pay by debit or credit card by ringing 01254 733410.

If surplus funds are raised they will be used for the general purposes of the charity.

Click on the link below for more information on the Raise The Roof campaign.