A bench has been dedicated to the memory of Sandra Carey Boggans who lost her four-year battle with cancer last year.

Watch our video report from October 7 last year

Her husband Tom Boggans said he and Sandra's sons Jacob, 13, and Lewis, 11, have been taking each day as it comes since Sandra's death in October last year.

The bench was placed near the family home in The Green, Southwick, on December 18, and was bought with money raised from donations during and after Sandra's funeral.

The bench cost £1,000 and a further £2,250 was donated to St Barnabas House Hospice in Worthing, where Sandra received respite care.

Tom said: “I have since had another £200 which was raised by Lewes Football Club and I have those cheques ready to take to St Barnabas.

“It has been very, very hard. We have ups and downs and there are moments where we all miss her.

“Christmas was very hard because she was not there and Jacob's birthday is coming up on Thursday. It will be his first birthday without his mum.

“But the boys have been great. We have had a few tears but we live each day as it comes. Like the words in Sandra's song, we remember to smile, but it is hard.”

The inscription on Sandra's bench reads: “A beautiful and amazing lady with an inspiration to life.

“Adored by her husband Tom and sons Jacob and Lewis. You will always be in our hearts. Sleep well Princess. xx”

Tom said he has sat on the bench on several occasions, including on Christmas Eve when some of the neighbours came out and decorated the tree and the bench with baubles.

He said: “I sat there on New Year's Eve and had a couple of drinks and on Valentine's Day I tied a couple of balloons with Sandra's name on to the bench – unfortunately someone took them.”

Sandra, who wrote a regular column in The Argus about her fight for life, had breast cancer diagnosed in 2004.

The former Adur councillor and foster carer thought she had beaten the disease but, after having her womb and ovaries removed in 2005, tests showed the cancer had spread.

The 44-year-old was admitted to St Barnabas shortly after her birthday on August 25 as her health began to deteriorate. She died with her family at her bedside on Sunday October 5.

Leave your tributes to Tom, Jacob and Lewis below.