BRAVE Nicky Weastell won the hearts of generous Teessiders who chipped in a breathtaking £90,000 to help her beat cancer.
The 37-year-old mum with the unforgettable smile begged them to give £1 each to buy cutting-edge drugs not offered by the NHS. And the money poured in by the bucketload from caring kids, pensioners and families.
It gave Nicky, who lived in Stokesley, the chance she wanted - to spend extra time with husband Jonty and their sons Will, five, and Hal, three.
But Nicky, who died in March from bowel cancer, always vowed when her fight was over, the money would go to help local sufferers like herself.
Now it will - thanks to a £50,000 fund called Nicky's Gift, which will be run by local charity Celebration of Life After Cancer with recommendations from health professionals.
"I think that is the perfect way to remember Nicky,"? said Mary Lee, pictured, of Celebration of Life After Cancer, who launched the fight to get the vital drugs.
The appeal launched by the Gazette brought an astonishing response from readers.
Kids sent their pocket money, pensioners handed over £1 coins and thousands of pounds was posted to Mary.
"The day after the story was in the Gazette, the postman arrived with two huge bread trays piled high with envelopes stuffed with money,"? she said.
"Sometimes I could hardly open the front door for the mail.
"Nicky was embarrassed to ask for the money, but desperate for the chance to stay with her little boys."?
Nicky asked for the fund to be launched while watching youngsters at the charity's annual fashion show.
Said Mary: "Nicky was a very special lady. She was an angel on earth.
"She just wanted the chance to spend as much time as possible with her family - and Teessiders understood that."?
Before she died, Nicky said she was blown away by the response to her appeal.
"I am so lucky to live in an area like Teesside where people really care,"? she said.
The new fund is with the Charity Commission and anyone wanting to comment can go to www.charitycommission.gov.uk
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I didn't have the privilige of meeting Nicky Weastell but I am delighted to be nanny to her and Jont's two beautiful sons.
The boys are a credit to their parents and are Nicky's legacy.
RIP Nicky, I'll do my best for your children.