Family and friends released a sea of balloons to raise awareness of an illness that took the life of an “amazing” woman.

The symbolic act was part of a fundraiser held in memory of mum-of-three Becky Warren, who died at just 35 after a ten-year battle with spinal cancer.

Jakki Warren, who organised the event in memory of her sister at Curzon Community Centre in Barking, said the first awareness day on Saturday went “really, really well”.

“It was so nerve-wracking, but all the stall-holders turned up and the turn-out was really good,” said Jakki, of Bennetts Castle Lane, Dagenham.

The Bastable Avenue fundraiser, which included cake stalls, Indian food, raffle prizes and face-painting, raised more than £500 for St Francis Hospice in Romford, where Becky was cared for in her final days.

Becky, who lived in Cadiz Road, Dagenham, is survived by her three children Remaya, 17, Aaliyah, 15, and Brooke, eight.

“I just want to give up something back, they did so much for Becky,” explained Jakki, 46.

“She was amazing, always so positive,” she said. “She was the greatest person I’ve ever known. She lives on.”

Jakki says this year’s event will be the first of many. “Next year we’ll be putting on even more, it will be bigger and better,” she promised.