THE family of a brave mum-of-two have paid tribute to a “kind and loving” woman after she lost her battle with cancer.

Nicola Hitchen, 42, passed away with her family at her side at their home in Great Boughton, Chester, on Monday (March 12).

Her story went global after Clare Hitchen, the wife of her ex-husband Andy, led a campaign to raise money for pioneering chemotherapy treatment in Turkey.

They smashed their £50,000 target and Nicola, who worked as an administrator at Oldfield Primary School in Vicars Cross, flew out to Istanbul for a series of treatments since last summer.

Sadly, her family informed The Standard yesterday that due to complications Nicola had lost her battle.

She leaves behind her two sons Joseph, 14, and Jacob, 13.

Her mum Helena said: “She was so determined – it was one of her biggest attributes. What she went through was just immense, but she would do it all again for her two sons. They were what kept her going through all the pain and treatments.

“She was such a loving person, kind and fun. She had so many friends and family, we are all devastated.

“She was here with us when she passed away; it’s what she wanted. When she found out that she wasn’t going to get better she just wanted to be here with her family.”

Clare and Andy added: “Niki fought her illness with courage, determination and complete love and devotion to her boys. She was overwhelmed by the support and love shown to her from family, friends and strangers from all over the world and we feel Niki was and always will be a true inspiration to us all.

“The boys are a credit to her; she has always put them at the centre of her world and I hope we can continue to make her proud.”

The family also wanted to thank all the doctors and nursing staff who looked after Nicola.

Helena said: “The doctors and team in Turkey sent their condolences and said what a joyous person she was. We would also like to thank the district nurses who cared for her here; their contribution was immense.”

Nicola’s funeral will take place at the United Reformed Church in Vicars Cross on Friday, March 23. All are welcome to attend.

After this newspaper first covered her story last November, Nicola was amazed at how quickly it grabbed national and then international attention.

People from the likes of Canada, America, Germany and Italy donated money cash and it was even rumoured a prominent film director may even have made a sizeable contribution.

At the time Nicola said on social media: “I am completely and totally overwhelmed at the response and I'm struggling to put into words how much it means to me.

“This fight is the hardest battle I have ever known and it's all of you who keep me going with your words of support and encouragement.”

Nicola was first admitted to hospital in March last year after suffering with abdominal pains for several months. It was later discovered she had a tumour in her cervix.

The brave mum told The Standard: “Getting a diagnosis like that you can respond in one of two ways. Either you accept this is what's happening and sort your affairs out or you start looking at other options. The first wasn't an option for me.”