A MOTHER with cancer who sparked a fundraising campaign in a bid to spend more time with her daughter has died.

Charley Ashton, 35, from Hove, passed away on Friday surrounded by her family.

Ms Ashton had an aggressive form of cancer which was so rare doctors could not identify exactly what type it was.

She was given just weeks to live at the start of last year but was determined to be around for as long as possible for her daughter Aurelia, two.

Her chemotherapy had come to an end but she wanted to try pioneering immunotherapy and family, friends and supporters rallied round to raise the more than £140,000 for her through the Cure4Charley campaign.

Earlier this year Ms Ashton and her wife Jess were waiting to discover whether immunotherapy would work but health began to deteriorate.

In a message posted on Ms Ashton’s website page, Jess said: “With incredible sadness I must share the news that Charley finally lost her brave battle with cancer on Friday evening.

“In recent weeks her health took a turn for the worse and began deteriorate.

“She took great comfort from spending quality time with immediate family who were by her side until her final breath and who are understandably heartbroken.

“Thank you all so much for the immense support and encouragement that has come our way in the past ten months since Cure4Charley was set up.

“The love that we have received from all around the world has given us unimaginable strength.”

The fundraising page has now been frozen and remaining money will be donated to cancer charities.

Jess said: “Charley’s wishes were that the funds raised in her name are to be distributed to help fund research and support others also fighting such an impossible battle.

“In the coming months the family will provide an update as to how the funds will be distributed but everyone can rest assured that the funds will be distributed in their entirety, to charitable causes which help others in their battle with rare cancers.”

Tributes have been paid to Charley and messages of support sent to Jess following the announcement, with comments pouring into the Cure4Charley Facebook page.

Details of the funeral, which is due to be held in Sheffield next Friday, will be released in due course.