THE family and friends of a 48-year-old woman who died from cancer just weeks after marrying her long-term partner are raising funds for the hospice which cared for her.

Claire Rooke, who lived in Nunnington, died in September last year, just six months after being diagnosed.

Now, her husband, Stephen and her group of friends have stripped off to create Claire's Calendar in her memory.

Stephen said: "Claire was unique, remarkable, a lovely, caring, beautiful wife, the best mother and a truly amazing friend who was always full of life and love. She would help with anything and the results were always fabulous.

"Claire always said 'memories are better than dreams' and her family and friends have such wonderful memories of Claire, her zest for life, infectious laugh and that amazing smile."

Stephen added: "This terrible disease hit us in early March 2016. It was aggressive, brutally fast and Claire was incredibly brave. She remained strong, positive and never complained or moaned despite her pain. Claire didn't want to be defined by her illness or to be treated differently because of it, she was after all 'still Claire'."

Stephen said he had planned to propose on Claire's 50th birthday on November 11 this year.

"Unfortunately time was not on our side, so I brought the proposal forward and due to our amazing network of friends, we managed to pull off a fairytale wedding in just one week," said Stephen. "Claire was radiant, so beautiful and happy. What an amazing memory."

Claire, who has two daughters, 25-year-old Amelia and Lauren Hudson, 23, had been cared for at home by St Leonard's Hospice.

"In her last few days she was looked after by the Hospice @ Home nurses in the comfort of her own home, which is where she wanted to be," he said.

"They were the angels looking after us and gave Claire the dignity she deserved in her last few days. We will forever be grateful to St Leonard's for their professionalism, caring approach and source of comfort at this horrendous time in our lives."

Following Claire's death a group of her friends, together with Stephen, decided to raise money for St Leonard's Hospice.

Chrissie Wilson, from Harome, who knew Claire for more than 13 years, said they had raised £1,500 at a casino night earlier in the year, before coming up with the idea of Claire's Calendar.

"So we jumped on the band wagon and grinned and bared it in the hopes that people may like to buy this marvel of artistic creation to raise money for this tremendous charity. Ryedale folk as you have never seen them before," she said.

"Everything is tastefully posed and one of our group even managed to persuade BBC presenter Harry Gration to strip off in the television studio."

Chrissie added: "Claire would have loved this and her infectious laugh was with us all as we stripped off. She was such a fun, positive person and a lovely, kind friend who adored her girls. We all miss her tremendously."

Claire's Calendar is available at Essentials Health & Beauty and Stricklands in Kirkbymoorside, The Grapes Inn in Slingsby, The Royal Oak in Nunnington, The Star Inn in Harome, Beadlam Grange Farm shop and Hovingham Village stores, priced £5.

You can also send a cheque for £7, made payable to "Claire's Calendar", with yorr name and address on the reverse of the cheque, to: Claire's Calendar, The Grapes Inn, Slingsby, York, YO62 4AL.