A COURAGEOUS Runcorn mum who blogged as the ‘cancer warrior’ to encourage others to fight their illness has lost her own battle.

Mum-of-three Roz Vaughan, aged 57, of Heywood Crescent, discovered she had lung cancer three months after having a kidney tumour removed.

Roz, a team manager at the 02 call centre in Preston Brook, nicknamed her tumour ‘cling on’ and blogged funny poems about her surgery to urge cancer victims to fight back.

She never gave up hope and her incredible zest for life won her Merseyside Inspirational Woman of the Year in June.

Her work colleagues say she has left behind a powerful legacy to make people aware of kidney cancer and save more lives.

They presented £1,000 to Halton Haven hours before Roz died on September 15 and promised her they would to continue supporting the hospice and raising awareness about kidney cancer.

Her best friend and work colleague Jane Houghton said:”Roz made us all laugh when we were low, gave us hugs when we were sad and a kick up the arse when we needed it.

“We miss her terribly yet we are determined to be as strong as Roz.

“I have been overwhelmed by how many people have told me what an amazing manager and person she was.

“She mentored and supported so many people. She cared about everyone and was always checking you were alright.

“She was a very unique lady. She had such incredible willpower and strength.

“We are very grateful to Halton Haven. Roz was able to sit adn talk and enjoy the last weeks of her life.”

Roz was a military tailor whilst her husband, Nicky, aged 52, served with the King’s Regiment.

He now works as a petrol tanker driver. She leaves three sons, Derek, aged 36, Robert, aged 34, and Darren, aged 32.

Hundreds of people squeezed into Holy Spirit Church last Monday for her funeral.

Jane added: “We wanted to celebrate her life. We are really proud of what she achieved.

“Roz believed there is strength in numbers and that the more awareness raised of kidney cancer the more people’s lives can be saved.

“One of her last wishes to me was to try and raise money for Halton Haven. We will have a lot of fundraising events planned.”