Family vow to live up to brave Rachel's 'bucket list' wishes

INSPIRATIONAL mum Rachel Turner has lost her battle with cancer, but her husband Paul is ensuring all her final wishes come true.

He has shared a "bucket list" written by his "amazing" wife and vowed to live up to her example.

The mum-of-two, 34, raised thousands of pounds for charity during her four-year fight against the disease.

A ball she was organising in aid of Breast Cancer Research will now go ahead next month in her honour, as will a fundraising calendar.

Paul said his wife fought her illness with positivity and every day with her was a "blessing".

He added: "I can honestly say that I would not swap a single day of my life with her."

Rachel died just days before their 10th wedding anniversary and her funeral was held on Wednesday at St Mary's Church in Prestbury, where they also tied the knot.

More than 200 family and friends gathered to say goodbye to Rachel, from Windfall Way in Longlevens.

They wore pink and the service ended with Flying Without Wings by Rachel's favourite band Westlife.

Paul read out dreams and advice from a list she wrote after being told her breast cancer had spread to her liver and was terminal.

Some she saw come true, such as son Jake, six, being christened and eldest son Ollie, eight, starting junior school. Others, such as meeting David Beckham, she did not.

Rachel slipped into a diabetic coma last month, caused by the cancer, and passed away at Cheltenham General Hospital just hours later on August 25 with Paul by her side.

Paul said the family were devastated, but have been trying hard to fulfil her wish to "enjoy life".

He said: "We haven't been stuck at home, moping around, we have been out and done as Rachel asked. It's been difficult but we are trying."

He also pledged to continue her fundraising work.

Rachel was putting the finishing touches to the second annual Pink Ball when she passed away.

Paul said it will go ahead in her honour on October 5 at Hatherley Manor. Her memory will also live on in the calendar featuring Rachel and her friends, with proceeds going to Breast Cancer Research.

Paul said: "She wanted to help fund the cure, maybe not for her, but for everyone else."

RACHEL'S BUCKET LIST:

1. Rule no1 - no rules. Enjoy life and listen to your mum.

2. Tell everyone how much you love them every day.

3. Teach Ollie to tell jokes.

4. Be honest about how we're feeling.

5. Fight cancer head on - it's just a disease.

6. Believe in yourself and everyone around you.

7. Buy a new bed for me and Paul to enjoy.

8. See Westlife one last time

9. Meet David Beckham - Victoria can come too.