AN ‘INSPIRATIONAL’ mother-of-seven has died from breast cancer aged 34.

Charmaine Gent, from Worcester Road, Whitebirk, had battled the disease for 18 months.

Four weeks ago she was given six months to live. Charmaine had drawn up a wish list of things she wanted to do with her final days, but only had time to achieve two of them.

She leaves behind children Simone, 18, Nathan, 16, Mitchell, 12, Marshall, eight, Mason, six, Cole, four and Brydon, three.

Her mum Christine Earnshaw said: “Everyday she was feeling worse. She needed two crutches to get about town but she was very determined right till the very end.

“Last Christmas she was dancing and getting us to join in with her.

“People used to ask her how she was, but she was more interested in other people.

“She was very modest. She hated being called brave.

“Her fight has been an inspiration to the rest of us. I couldn’t have done it.”

Christine, whose maiden name was Symcox, said that her daughter was the “life and soul of the party” who brought laughter and joy into their lives.

The former Queen’s Park High School pupil’s wishlist included trips to London, shopping at the Trafford Centre and watching Blackburn Rovers play.

Daughter Simone said: “She managed to do two things - the Trafford Centre and Blackburn Rovers.

“Thanks to her step dad, Allan Riley, she got to meet all the players in the players lounge, including her favourite, Roque Santa Cruz.

“We are all devestated by what has happened. It has left a massive hole in our lives, but we will think of the good times.

“I also want to continue fundraising in her memory.”

Friends and neighbours of Charmaine, who was brought up in Shadsworth, have clubbed together to have canvas collage pictures made for her children as permanent mementos. Keepsake boxes are also being filled.

Last year friends and family raised £150 for Macmillan Cancer Support by hosting a sponsored coffee morning and waxing men’s legs.

They had hoped to complete Cancer Research UK’s Race For Life in June this year, but Charmaine was too ill.

Sister Vanessa Gent, 32, said: “She stayed strong. She never let her illness get her down.

“She was devoted to her kids and to was generous to everyone she knew.

“She loved barbeques and had them even in the rain. She’d call all the children from the road in to grab something to eat.

“There are too many people to thank for their kindness, but Charmaine appreciated them all.

“But I especially want to thank her friend Kerry Wright and our brother Lee who she described as her ‘rocks’, who went with her to hospital appointments and kept her spirits up.”

Tha family also want to thank Macmillan nurses and Kim and Dr Parry from Shadsworth Surgery.

Charmaine died on Sunday at the Royal Blackburn Hospital.

Her funeral will be held at 1pm on Wednesday at Immanuel Church, Feniscowles.

Family will be wearing pink t-shirts with a picture of Charmaine on the front.