A MUM who died just nine months after being diagnosed with cervical cancer has left a lasting legacy to Bolton Hospice — after fundraising in her name went viral.

Zoe Milton was given the devastating news that she had the disease in December last year — less than 12 months after giving birth to her son Charlie.

An online fundraising campaign in her name set up just one month ago — before her death on Sunday — has now raised £15,000.

The 28-year-old, from Horwich, underwent an intense course of radio and chemotherapy after being diagnosed — but the cancer later spread to her liver and abdomen.

Her friend, Paula Brooks, said: “Zoe wasn’t just a fantastic mum, partner, daughter, sister and friend, but a truly amazing person.

“She has touched the lives of thousands of people and this is reflected in the fundraising for her chosen charity, the hospice.

“She will be missed by many, many people. Heaven has gained the most beautiful angel.”

The mum-of-one, who died on Sunday, leaves her partner Rick White, son Charlie, mum and dad, Caroline and Ali, brother Chris and sister Nadine.

She worked at Bolton Magistrates Court before falling ill and was a keen horse rider.

Fundraising in her name started only started a month ago — when Zoe was forced to cancel her participation in an October dressage event with Active Rider based at Higher Fairbanks Farm in Rossendale.


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After hearing her story, Jane Walker, of Active Rider, suggested raising funds to look after Zoe’s horse, Romeo.

However, Zoe herself requested that any fundraising should benefit Bolton Hospice, where she was receiving palliative care.

Ms Walker, aged 48, took up the challenge of raising £1,000 for the hospice — but has now set the goal of £20,000.

She said: “I’m up until 1am every day trying to organise things, but I want to do it.

“Most people probably would have walked away and never given it a second thought, but I felt like I had to do something.

“I imagined her mum and partner sitting in that room in the hospice and I wanted to give them something positive to talk about.

“I sit here crying most nights because I can’t believe how generous people have been.”

Fundraising had reached £10,000 on Saturday — and Zoe’s mum was able to whisper the news to her daughter.

The figure has since shot up to £15,000 and there have been more than 800 donations.

Dr Leigh Vallance, the hospice’s chief executive, said: “I am constantly amazed by the power of giving.

“The giving of compassion and care to our patients and their loved ones.

“The endless giving of unconditional love in the face of the seemingly unbearable grief associated with loss.

“And so too, the giving of fundraising and the power of social media to reach all those linked to Zoe and the work that we do here that Zoe was so graciously appreciative of.”

Fundraising on the Just Giving page — justgiving.com/ActiveRiderUK — is set to continue until mid-November, with friends and former colleagues also organising a raffle.

Raffle tickets are available from facebook.com/zoeshospiceraffle