A widow’s bravery in telling the tragic story of her husband’s premature death has helped to raise more than £4,700 for Cancer Research UK and Macmillan Cancer Support.

Amy Peacock, 30, along with friends and family of her late husband Ross, have collected £4,724 – more than 10 times their original target – after he succumbed to gastric cancer aged just 32, a short time after their marriage.

Ms Peacock detailed the heartbreaking events that happened in the eight short weeks between her husband’s diagnosis and his death last year in Closer magazine and the Sun newspaper after a suggestion from her counsellor.

Ms Peacock, who grew up in Sutton and now lives in Hooley in north Surrey, said: “It all happened so quickly; writing it all down made it seem more real.”

The aim of the article was to spread awareness of the disease, which Mr Peacock had diagnosed after enduring strong stomach pains over a period of days.

Mr Peacock’s prognosis was bleak, with no cure possible to treat his illness.

However, plans were administered to prolong his life as much as possible and the couple insisted on going ahead with their planned wedding on May 31.

After only four weeks of marriage, Mr Peacock died on June 30, surrounded by family and friends.

Ms Peacock said: “Ross hated the idea of flowers at a funeral; he thought they were a waste of money.

“In the nine years we were together I only got flowers twice. With this in mind I set up the JustGiving page to give our friends and family an alternative to flowers.

“I hope these donations can help a bit in keeping the services that Macmillan provide to anyone affected by cancer.”

She will take part in the Race for Life for Cancer Research UK in July and the Starlight Walk in September in remembrance of Ross.

To donate, go to just giving/remember/134809 /Ross-Peacock.