In what has been a difficult year for us all, Ashlee has quietly been undergoing treatment for bowel cancer. She approached this with her typical passion and love for life, refusing to let it get her down and giving everything she had to overcome such a terrible disease.

After undergoing radiotherapy, chemotherapy and two major surgeries in the past year, Ash was all set to receive the news we'd all hoped for - that treatment had been successful and she could get back to living a normal life. Unfortunately, only three weeks ago, we received the devastating news that Ash's cancer had spread aggressively in the past four months since her last surgery - there would be no cure this time.

Even in the face of such awful news, Ash took it with her characteristic bravery and strength as she prepared herself to receive palliative chemotherapy with the intent of giving her as long with her loved ones as possible.

Sadly, the spread of her disease had already caused irreversible damage to her kidneys and she was admitted to hospital on 3rd November to receive treatment to improve their function and allow her to undergo the planned chemotherapy.

Despite the best efforts of her doctors, this was unsuccessful and Ashlee passed away peacefully on 11th November, her mum holding one hand and her partner Marc holding the other.

Throughout that final week of Ash's short life, she was cared for on ward J94 at St James's Hospital in Leeds. Words cannot explain the efforts the staff on the ward made to make such a terrifying experience as comfortable as possible for Ashlee and her loved ones.

The dignity and love that Ash was given will never be forgotten, with no request for assistance going unanswered whether that was to help make Ash more comfortable during treatment or for a cup of tea for a thirsty family member. At a time when those who loved Ash were forgetting to eat and drink, the ward staff would insist upon making us an impromptu meal in the ward kitchen. We will never be more grateful in our lives than for the fact Ash's mum and partner were both able to stay with Ash every minute of every day - she was never alone.

To this end, in lieu of flowers, we would ask anyone who is able to donate so that we can purchase some much needed items for ward J94 where Ash was given the most fantastic, dedicated care possible.

This ward is the Teenage & Young Adult Haematology ward, which treats some of the youngest patients the hospital will see for long term conditions including receiving chemotherapy for cancers in patients so young it's unfair they should ever have to know the horrors of such an affliction.

We have decided that the items we buy will be aimed at improving the happiness of the patients on ward J94, bringing some much needed distraction and entertainment to the patients and families who unfortunately need to use their facilities; computer games, books, DVDs and so on.

The emotional and mental wellbeing of a sick person is often understated and we want to do what little we can to bring a smile to the face of everyone we can - this is something Ash firmly believed in as anyone who was lucky enough to know her will attest.

So please, donate whatever you are able to and help give someone else a smile to help them through a difficult time.

Thank you all.