Tributes paid to Downham Market woman Heather Bellamy who 'fought against leukaemia bravely for years'

Tributes have been paid to Downham woman Heather Bellamy, after fundraisers broke the sad news that she passed away at the weekend.

The Facebook page 'Downham To Cardiff' said mother-of-four Heather, a former nurse, died on Saturday.

Since the start of the year, hundreds of people, including Chris Heyes and Andy Lucraft-Townley of Downham To Cardiff who took on a 200-mile walking challenge, have been raising funds to support Heather, who had a rare form of leukaemia.

Supporters were aiming to raise the £250,000 needed to allow Heather to travel to America for treatment.

The Facebook post says: "It is with great sorrow that, on behalf of her family, we announce that Heather passed away on Saturday.

"She fought bravely for years against leukaemia, but sadly it took its toll."

The funeral will take place on Wednesday, August 14 at 11.30am, at the cemetery on Rouse's Lane.

People are advised to park at the Jubilee Hall and walk through to the cemetery, and the wake will be at the Jubilee Hall.

"Anybody wishing to attend and pay their respects then please do," the post adds.

"Heather's wishes were no black to be worn, colourful clothes and dress to be comfortable.

"Thank you to everybody for your support over the last six months or so.

"The community has really come together for Heather, so please let's do it one more time and remember the wonderful lady that she was."

Tributes have been paid to Heather on social media.

Pam Gorman, owner of Pammies Snack Bar, said: “My heart breaks for her and her family.

“This lady brought so much love both in her career and cementing the community of Downham Market, bringing us all together in her fight.

“An inspiration to us all. Rest now sweet lady.”

Natalie Anona said: “I didn’t know this lady but so wish I did. What a brave lady, I followed her story and she became an inspiration.

“Thoughts are with her dear family who will need the community support that Heather received.”

The GoFundMe page which had been gathering tens of thousands of pounds' worth of donations for Heather's treatment is no longer accepting money.

Heather's daughter Lilly Young said on the page: "Unfortunately my mum has passed away before we were able to get her to America."

She said the money that had been "so kindly donated" would be refunded to those who had given it.

"If you still wish to donate the money somewhere after getting it back, please donate to either a leukaemia charity, or if you live more locally to King's Lynn, then see about donating it to the Cancer Care Trust (Macmillan Centre) in King's Lynn who did so much to help my mum throughout almost all of her treatment," she added.

"Again thank you to everyone who took the time to donate, share, hold fundraising events etc, it means so much that people did this for us."