THE husband of a young mother killed by cancer has made it his life’s mission to raise funds for vital research, after her story inspired thousands of pounds worth of donation in her name.

Mother-of-three Sarah Nixon, 38, died just weeks after doctors discovered cancer in her ovaries when she gave birth to Poppy, born six weeks premature, by emergency Caesarean.

Yesterday a fundraising web page set up by grieving husband Chris received donations of more than £4,400 – including one anonymous donation of £2,000 – after her tragic story was told in The Journal.

Chris said: “Can you imagine knowing that you are dying, with three young children? But she was just so brave and I am so proud of her.

“Now my main task is to focus on giving the children the love that she gave them. But I also want to fundraise for cancer research. It’s such a dreadful disease, we’ve got to get it cracked for future generations.”

Since launching the fundraising page, Chris, who lives in Rickleton, Washington, has received donations from friends and family, but also from strangers.

He said: “My aim is to raise awareness of cancer research and its work, and already this seems to be working.

“I was absolutely flabbergasted when I saw the donation of £2,000, and it is amazing how much support we have had already.

“I feel very confident we can raise a huge amount for this cause. There is no target, I don’t have one. For me this will never end. For as long as I live I will be doing this trying to raise as much money as possible for cancer research.

“Every time a donation is made I get an email, and it’s been non-stop.

“I am so grateful to those donating, and I’m expecting the total to increase over the days and weeks to come. This really is just the start of things to come, and I hope to be able to raise hundreds of thousands of pounds for this cause.”

Tributes have poured in for Sarah, a part-time nurse at the intensive care unit at Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary, who passed away on January 17 surrounded by her loved ones.

One comment on the fundraising page reads: “I wish we could give more. In loving memory of Sarah ... she was a bright star shining in our lives and will live on forever in our hearts.”

Another says: “A tragic loss. No justice in taking a mother so young from her young family. Thoughts to all the family.”

Sarah’s funeral will be held today at Durham Cathedral.

Anyone wanting to donate to Cancer Research UK can visit www.justgiving.com/sarah-nixon-newcastle