Remembering Eden on her 18th birthday

Rachael and Brendan from Dewsbury has been fundraising in memory of her daughter, Eden, would have been 18 last Thursday. SM1003/38c

They gathered by her grave in Dewsbury Cemetery to remember Eden, who tragically died from cancer aged 11.

The schoolgirl, who would have turned 18 on Thursday May 22, was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, an aggressive form of childhood cancer, in February 2007.

She braved months of intensive chemotherapy, but passed away in April 2008.

Mum Rachael Shaw, of St Paulinus Close, Westtown, said: “She was very brave and special. If you met her you would not forget her. She had that type of personality.

“She never had a down day and inspired so many others.”

After releasing the balloons, 68 friends and family went to Zucchinis in Batley for a meal to remember Eden.

Rachael’s close friend, Sally Robinson, gave her a folder of photographs taken just before Eden passed away.

Rachael said: “Sally took the chip from Eden’s phone and got the photos developed.

“Looking at them, I just wanted to go in and grab her.

“The pictures in the house you get used to but looking at them made me want her back.”