HEARTFELT tributes have been paid to a mum who fulfilled her dream of marrying the love of her life thanks to the fundraising efforts of the West Cumbrian community.

The heartbroken family of Susan Clark have paid tribute to her after she lost her battle to cancer last week.

The 26-year-old, of Northside in Workington, received the devastating news her cervical cancer was incurable in October.

And her sister Lisa Rumney, 24, of Whitehaven, launched a successful appeal to help with costs of arranging Susan's wedding to Jay in November.

The money raised will also help with costs towards her funeral.

Lisa said: "Heartbroken does not come close. Even being so poorly she managed a smile talking to her gorgeous babies. The most brave and amazing mam, sister, daughter, wife, niece." Susan, originally of Aspatria, leaves her children Grayson, one, Lexie, three, and Mackenzie, eight. Her husband Jay also has a son, Leo, 10. As well as Lisa, Susan has two other sisters, Sarah and Samantha.

The details of the funeral are yet to be finalised, but the community has already stepped in to offer support. The family would like to pay tribute to Susan by having a horse, an animal she loved, accompanying the hearse at the funeral. And lots of people have already come forward to help them. Lisa said the family was very grateful for the offers received as well as the messages of support.

Last year Susan and Jay got married in hospital and the ceremony was followed by a blessing with family and friends at At Aspatria’s St Kentigern’s church. Susan arrived for her big day by horse-drawn carriage with white Spanish dance horses. She was escorted by her father John Rumney to the emotional ceremony. And the West Cumbrian community went the extra mile by also helping the couple decorate their home and buy Christmas presents for their children following the shock diagnosis.

Lisa is very keen to raise awareness of the importance of smear tests, so no one has to go through what her family had to endure by losing Susan. "This has touched everyone, even people who did not know Susan. She's such a big loss.

"It just shows you how important your smear tests are. Months of suffering - God bless her heart," added Lisa.

The family have been through a tough time since Lisa and Susan's mum passed away suddenly in January of last year.

Lisa said: "My heart's broken, we're all so hurt. It's her babies too - I know what it's like to loose a mum. All the people who were there start to finish have seen what I've seen.

"Spread awareness, not just for cervical cancer but all cancers."