LEIGH Thai boxer Donna Morris has lost her courageous fight for life.

The 27-year-old died in the Christie Hospital in Manchester from the bowel cancer she had fought so hard to overcome.

Her family were at her bedside, just as they had been in shifts throughout the last week of her life. Her father, Don, mother Carol and 16-year-old sister Christina stayed at the famous hospital, only returning to their home in Warrington Road, Leigh, to sleep.

Mr Morris said: "She fought to the end, and was incredibly brave."

Donna was originally in hospital a year ago with ovarian cancer, but overcame it and returned to her beloved sessions at Bolton Thai Boxing Club in Brown Street where she took up the sport almost three years before.

She was reknowned for her dedication to the tough training and had taken part in a competitive fight where she impressed coach Sandy Holt. "No-one worked harder than Donna," he said.

But earlier this year, she again suffered stomach pains, and returned to the famous Manchester hospital for treatment. Chemotherapy followed, but she developed a blood infection which complicated treatment and her organs began to fail.

During her illness, Donna impressed all with her bravery. She had a steady stream of visitors and her room was filled with cards and flowers, augmented by recent 27th birthday celebrations in her hospital room. Her determination, dedication and sheer niceness won her many friends. Mr Holt added: "She brought people together. Bits of problems and disagreements seemed petty when we saw Donnas battle."

The club members decided to raise funds for both the Christie Hospital and for Donna herself, organising a successful junior Kickathon and also two races over the Race for Life course at Leverhulme Park on Sunday.

In the event, this became an immediate memorial for Donna as more than 100 men, women and youngsters took part on Sunday, watched by around 60 people and by 15 of Donnas own relatives.

Mr Morris admitted: "Yes, there were tears then. We were all so overwhelmed by the numbers of people there. Sandy and the members have been absolutely brilliant." He also paid tribute to colleagues at the APCOA parking offices in Bradshawgate, Bolton where Donna worked and where she had just been promoted to a new job. "They have all been very supportive," he said. His daughter was taking a diploma in business management at Wigan and Leigh College and wanted to go on to take an MBA.

"Donna was a special person, very strong-willed and she gave 100 per cent in everything she did. She was a very caring person. Even when she first became ill and was in pain, she was more bothered about her grandparents and how they were recovering from illness. We will all miss her very much. But we never knew Donna was so popular and this has helped us to cope."

Sandy Holt said that the Thai boxing club hoped to hold an annual event in Donna's memory. He said: "She was a real fighter the bravest of us all."

l Donnas funeral is being held at 1pm on Friday at St Thomass Church (Bedford Church) in Chapel Street, Leigh, with cremation at Howe Bridge Crematorium at 2pm. Family flowers only are requested, but donations can be sent to the Christie Cancer Research Unit.