I’ve dreaded this moment for three and a half years now. My one in a million Charley is now with the big man up in the heavens with her dad and mum.

To clarify (she was very clear to get this message out) - please no one say she has ‘lost her battle’ She always felt this implied she simply gave up.

She never gave up, she tried everything to live as long as possible even when she was uncomfortable. She never did that for herself, she did this for me and our beautiful Will and Hannah who she adored more than they will ever know.

The NHS threw everything at this and I cannot begin to thank Dr Moss and his team who did everything for her.

St Wilfrids hospice have also been an incredible support to us all for months leading up to today. Her hospice nurse Andy - a selfless legend who fought her corner and did everything he could to help and support us.

In the end Charley died in the hospice during the early hours of this morning. This is where she had wanted to end up and she was calm and peaceful at the end surrounded by family with me holding her hand.

I thought I was prepared in some way to deal with this and whilst I am in some ways relieved that my best friend is no longer in pain, I am absolutely heartbroken 💔

Will and Hannah were with her too and wanted to say their goodbyes. They are brave, strong humans and her knowing they were there would have let her know how much they love her.

Father Peter Newsom was able to pray with her and give her last rights. He visited her twice yesterday. A lovely calm man who married us almost 14 years ago, baptised both Will and Hannah, conducted her mum’s funeral and was there for the childrens first confession.

Its so hard to sum up what someone means to you, I’ve checked through Charley’s copious notes and can’t find a form of words she wanted to go out on social media. So hopefully I’ve got this right or that she is guiding me writing this.

My best friend in the world, I adore her - no one has ever understood how I tick more than Charley. She has supported me in everything I’ve done and was always there to talk about ideas, worries or to give a balanced opinion.

Charley started playing rugby 2 years before lockdown and after her cancer diagnosis remained supporting and moulding this team of amazing women. An inclusive, fun, hard working (but hard partying group of women) who have been like a big family to all of us. This team has become so strong - a direct result of her involvement and at a time where finally women’s sport is being better supported, she has left a legacy that will just keep growing.

In these times there are certain people who are just there when you need them - ready for a chat, advice, a lift somewhere, flowers - you know who you are and I will be endlessly grateful to those people.

We’ve been lucky to have done some amazing things together but the best by far the best thing been bringing up Will and Hannah. Both so different and we could not be more proud of them or love them more.

In the last few years, after an initial period of being emotional, we came to the conclusion that we were wasting time, valuable time. We focused on making memories as a family, being positive, doing fun things. We talked and planned so much - I have a journal written by Charley with so many instructions and lists!

I could go on but Charley ‘I will never forget you, I will always love you, please haunt me and the kids and look over us and I will see you again one day. Thank you for everything’

We have so far raised nearly £2000 for Make 2nds Count - a charity that meant so much to Charley. We want to raise as much money as we can for this fantastic charity so have set up this new fundraising page as the previous one was an Instagram fundraiser so was only available for people on Instagram.