THE mum of a brave woman who lost her battle against cancer has praised Bury Hospice staff for their compassion.

Sarah Taylor, of Whitefield, died on February 11, almost two years after she was diagnosed with cervical cancer.

Her mother Lorraine has praised hospice staff for allowing Sarah to die with dignity.

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Lorraine, aged 57, said: “Bury Hospice gave Sarah the privacy and the dignity she deserved and we felt she was in the best possible hands."

Sarah graduated from Leeds Metropolitan University and worked as the product manager at Tetrosyl in Bury.

After her diagnosis in July 2014, Sarah, underwent radical surgery followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy, but was struck down with severe back and stomach pain last May.

Sarah experienced kidney failure and it emerged the cancer had spread to her kidney, stomach and bowel.

Over the following weeks, she underwent further treatment at The Christie Hospital in Manchester to try and slow the progression of the disease.

In February, Sarah's health took another turn for the worse and she went into Bury Hospice soon after.

Lorraine said: "We knew then that she was dying.

"We went to the hospice with the aim of getting her in a position where she could then go home, but it wasn't to be. She died the next morning.

"It was for the best that she was there, in a lovely room overlooking a beautiful garden with the expert help we needed on hand.

"The nurses knew the right things to do and say, and kept us all calm.

"The team helped make sure she didn't die in pain.

“They stayed by her side, they calmed her down, they got her breathing under control and stabilised her condition so that we could spend those last precious moments with her, together as a family.

"We can take comfort in the fact that Sarah wasn't scared or frightened, she didn't feel on her own, and she was comfortable and at peace.

"That means such a lot to us all — and it is all thanks to the team at Bury Hospice."

The Taylors and family friends have raised £20,000 for the hospice since February.

Lorraine said: "They deserve every penny, but other families like ours will only be able to access the same wonderful care if people in the local area show their support."

Bury Hospice is encouraging Bury Times readers to back its Hospice Care Month fundraising campaign.

Call 0161 797 1748, extension 216, to get help organising your fundraising event or visit buryhospice.org.uk

You can also email your fundraising event pictures to burynews@newsquest.co.uk