A DOCTOR who provided medical help to the crowd at Blackburn Rovers games has lost her fight against cancer.

Susan Elizabeth Holroyd, a GP at Montague Health Centre, died on Sunday at her home on Pleasington Lane, Blackburn, aged 45.

John Newsham, safety officer at Blackburn Rovers, described her as a very giving, thoughtful and dedicated person who would be sadly missed by the club directors and staff.

"We are more than grateful for the contribution that she gave," he said. "She gave up her time to help train the stewards in first aid and she was there if anyone had any problems and wanted to talk."

Dr Holroyd was born in Darwen and went to Darwen Technical and Grammar School. She met her husband Michael Holroyd while on a Thwaites scholarship trip to East Africa. After studying medicine at the University of Manchester, she worked as a school doctor for two years before becoming a GP at Montague Health Centre in 1980 and building up a practice of 3,000 patients.

Her husband Michael said: "As a GP she was very much involved with her patients and a very human, approachable doctor. She had friends from all walks of life."

In her spare time, Dr Holroyd also worked with the Friends of the Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Trust collecting blood samples and helped raise money for medical equipment.

She was also a keen embroiderer and gardener, a committed Roman Catholic and active member of Pleasington Priory and a first aid course examiner.

She leaves her husband, her 16-year-old son Michael and her parents Bill and Doreen Norris.

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