Friends of inspirational mum Hayley Martin who died this week have handed over money raised for charity in her name.

The 31-year-old, of Loose Road, passed away on Saturday after losing her battle with terminal bowel cancer.

Despite the diagnosis, in 2013, she dedicated her life to raising money to help others, funding improvements to the oncology ward at Maidstone Hospital and setting up a support group to help young people fighting the disease.

This week, to mark a year of the opening of Hayley's Room, where the group meets, fundraisers met at the hospital to hand over cheques from events held in her name in the last few months.

Among them were organisers of the Sutton Valence Pram Race, who raised £3,500, and Westree ABC who collected £4,000 at a charity boxing match.

The money has been used to fund artwork in the ward, to try and make it a more pleasant place for patients.

Keli Tomlin, Charles Dickens Ward Manager, said, “Hayley was a wonderful person and I feel hugely privileged to have been able to spend so much time getting to know her and enjoying her company.

“I would like to offer sincere condolences to Hayley’s family, both from myself and the Trust as a whole.

"She will be missed by the team on Charles Dickens Ward but her memory will live on in the form of Hayley’s Room and Freddie’s Friends, the support group which she helped to establish.

“It was Hayley’s wish that a charity be created to provide Kent Oncology Patients with access to funding to cover the cost of experiences and treats, or as she called it, making magical memories.

"Alongside her family and friends, I have been involved in the creation of this charity, called Hayley’s Heroes and I will be running the London Marathon this year in support of it.

“We will always be grateful to Hayley for all her tireless fundraising for the Trust and her continued support to both patients and staff.”