NINE members of a family have taken part in a 25km trek in memory of their relative who sadly died from cancer.

Sandie Neave, 55, of Hockley, sadly lost her three year fight with cancer in December last year.

Through the end of her journey she was supported by Fair Havens Hospice, in Westcliff.

Nine of her relatives took on a 25km hike through the Peak District to raise almost £3,000 for the hospice in her memory.

Sandie’s niece Rachel Cornelius, 24, of Leigh, said: “In late 2013, Sandie was diagnosed with bowel cancer which later developed to lymph node cancer.

“Sandie was told about Fair Havens Hospice in hospital and decided to come along to day care to find out more about it. She loved it, so started coming to Fair Havens on a regular basis.

“Day care really helped Sandie because she was able to socialise and take part in the creative therapies.

“She really enjoyed talking to the hospice staff because they gave her a better understanding of what was happening medically.

“I think that really helped her with her own grieving process and actually helped us all, because they took away the fear of the unknown.

“Sandie was one of the most positive people I know, but Havens Hospices helped us all be more positive and gave Sandie that boost of determination to get to Christmas; giving all of us that moment to cherish forever.”

Sandie had made it very clear to Rachel and her other family members that she wanted them to fundraise for Havens Hospices so that the charity could continue providing specialist care.

Despite some members of the team struggling to begin with, they all pulled though to finish. Rachel added: “It’s the biggest thing we’ve done as a family since Sandie died and I think that it allowed us to reflect on the loss and remember Sandie as we walked; she was definitely there with all of us, motivating us to keep going and I know she would have been proud.”