A CAMPAIGNING mother who refused to let cancer define her has finally lost her fight with the disease.

Nicki Butterworth died on Friday at the age of 41, more than seven years after doctors told her she had cervical cancer.

Despite attempting various pioneering courses of chemotherapy and treatments, the aggressive cancer continued to spread through her body.

Paying tribute to her, Nicki’s husband Tony described her as “one of a kind” whose determination to raise awareness of cervical cancer - and refusal to ever be labelled a ‘cancer victim’ - would be her legacy.

At one point she was warned she had just months to live but, rather than let the diagnosis stop her living, Nicki embarked on a bucket list designed to inspire - all the while keeping her wicked sense of humour.

Supported by Tony, the pair organised a food fight in the garden of their Penrith home, she fed penguins, held an early family Christmas, toured an RAF helicopter, ran the Race for Life just days after completing gruelling chemotherapy and even completed a sky dive.

Her resolution not to be known as the woman with cancer drove Nicki on, as she continued to give selflessly to those she saw as less fortunate than herself.

One of her bucket list items had been to feed the homeless, after she once spent time living on the streets.

She managed this while on a visit to Edinburgh in 2014 and, once she began visiting the capital city regularly to be part of a cancer trial, Nicki continued to help those in need.

Tony told the News & Star: “Nicki was truly one of a kind.

“When we went to Edinburgh over the Christmas period - and numerous other times - she would treat the homeless to a meal.

“There was one guy she actually took a bag full of stuff that she thought was appropriate for a homeless bloke. That was Nicki.”

The mum-of-two did not just help the homeless, but was involved with Newfoundland Dog Rescue until her death and was recognised in 2016 for her tireless dedication to helping those affected by Storm Desmond.

Nicki was awarded the #SpiritofCumbria award by the News & Star’s sister paper, The Cumberland News, which specifically recognised the amazing efforts people made in the wake of the 2015 floods.

Despite having terminal cancer, she became involved in launching the widely-acclaimed Eden Flood Volunteers group, which channelled critical support to victims across north Cumbria - and then much further afield.

Her nomination said: “She is selfless and can never do enough for people, working tirelessly to help those in need. She goes above and beyond.

“She is a truly wonderful woman - an absolute hero. It is her time to shine.”

Tony says Nicki’s response to the disaster simply summed up his wife.

“It was the right thing to do,” he insisted. “She just jumped in the van and went. We had the big van and if people loaded it, Nicki would drive anywhere.

“She loved driving and loved her trike, before the cancer took hold of her.”

Perhaps Nicki’s most lasting legacy however, will be her endless quest to raise awareness of cervical cancer - and the importance of a smear test - and her participation in the drug trial.

“She hasn’t been able to do much since the cancer really took hold of her, but she would still get angry about cervical cancer and lecture people about regular check ups,” Tony recalled.

“The drug trial she was on helped her obviously, but it will go on to help so many others.

“I know one woman said she would rather die than suffer the side effects of the trial treatment, but Nicki wouldn’t take any alternative treatments in case it affected the results.

“Nicki helped others up to her death and beyond.”

She leaves behind husband Tony, children Jay and Alexandria and granddaughter Kiara.