Two former colleagues of a Stevenage mum who lost her battle with cancer last week are raising money in her name to donate to the hospice which cared for her.

The Comet: Heidi and her family, pre-cancer diagnosis. L-R: Fiancé Simon Rutt, Heidi, sisters Maria and Sharon, nephew Ashton - who is fighting testicular cancer - brother Graham, his partner Michelle and Maria's partner Terry. Picture: Courtesy of Heidi McNeillHeidi and her family, pre-cancer diagnosis. L-R: Fiancé Simon Rutt, Heidi, sisters Maria and Sharon, nephew Ashton - who is fighting testicular cancer - brother Graham, his partner Michelle and Maria's partner Terry. Picture: Courtesy of Heidi McNeill (Image: Archant)

Heidi McNeill was diagnosed with lung cancer in December last year and it had recently spread to her brain and liver. She died last Friday, aged just 49, having been supported since diagnosis by staff at Letchworth’s Garden House Hospice Care.

Former Comet editor Darren Isted and graphic designer Dave Walters, who worked with Heidi when she was a senior sales executive at the Comet, will be running 10k on Sunday in her name, hoping to raise more than £600 for the hospice.

Darren said: “We decided to set up this fundraiser as we both know what a remarkable job Garden House Hospice Care does on limited resources, and we were both very close to Heidi who had unfortunately been receiving care as a result of a cancer diagnosis.

“While our former work colleague had always shown amazing fight and exceeded all expectations of her illness, we were still devastated when she died last week. Her close family were with her and she had all the care she could have wanted but it was still a shock that the end came so quickly.

“We were hoping the run would be completed with Heidi possibly making an appearance, cheering us on with a glass of fizz in hand – she would certainly have been keen to do that. Now it will be in her memory, and our wish is to both pay tribute to her extraordinary life and also raise what we can for an amazing cause.

“Times are tough at the moment and all we ask is that readers follow the link and if they can afford £1 then we would be grateful. If not then we would be delighted if they could share the donation page on social media so we can raise as much as we can for this amazing charity.”

To sponsor Darren and Dave visit https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-display/showROFundraiserPage?userUrl=DavidWalters21&pageUrl=3