Hundreds of people turned out today to celebrate the life of a much-loved mum and charity hero, who lost her battle with cancer.

Family and friends of Hayley Martin filled Maidstone’s parish church, All Saints, for an emotional memorial service.

The 31-year-old, who helped to raise tens of thousands of pounds for charity despite her illness, died at the Heart of Kent Hospice last month.

Mourners heard from her husband Chris Griffin, who paid tribute to the “love of his life”. The pair met shortly before she received her initial diagnosis and had son Freddie while she was in remission.

He said: “I have never known anyone with the strength of my wife and she made me a better person.

“She had a short life but the footprints of it will last forever.”

Despite her terminal diagnosis in 2011 Mrs Martin, of Loose Road, dedicated her time to raising thousands of pounds for the Charles Dickens ward at Maidstone Hospital.

She even had a room named after her there, where she ran a support group for cancer patients alongside receiving her treatment herself.

The congregation heard how upon hearing her diagnosis her philosophy was to make the most of every day.

The mum-of-one told her family she had had an amazing life, but found it difficult that her illness meant she was not being able to get down on the floor and play with two-year-old Freddie, who she described as her “little miracle”.

Rev Ian Parrish also read out a poem written by Hayley’s older sister Jodie, entitled My Sister, My Best Friend, My Hero.

During the service the church was filled with the sounds of the choir singing traditional hymns, punctuated by prayers and a rendition of Louis Armstrong’s It’s a Wonderful World.

As the congregation left Are You Ready For Love by Elton John was played.