Darlington's MP has issued a heartfelt tribute to one of her constituents - a passionate and much-loved campaigner who lost her battle with breast cancer earlier this month.

Lola McEvoy has issued an emotional tribute to Heather Sawyer, 50, who passed away peacefully on October 5 at St Teresa's Hospice in Darlington four years after she was diagnosed with stage 3 invasive lobular breast cancer.

A chance finding of a Check and Change campaign pamphlet in a clothes package described as an "omen" led Heather to inspect herself in 2020.

Heather Sawyer and Darlington MP Lola McEvoy.Heather Sawyer and Darlington MP Lola McEvoy. (Image: LOLA MCEVOY) The grandmother of 11, who lived in Darlington with her husband and parents, then underwent a mastectomy, radiotherapy and chemotherapy before her diagnosis was upgraded to stage 4 in 2022 - the most severe.

Part of her campaigning saw her fighting for the drug Enhertu for breast cancer patients to be made available on the NHS. Currently, the drug is available in Scotland but not in England due to a failure to reach an agreement with suppliers.

The town's MP has now revealed that Heather was one of the first people to meet her to push for the drug and has called her an "impressive campaigner" for women.

Lola's post reads: "Heather Sawyer was one of the first constituents to come and visit me after I was elected. Not only was it instantly clear how incredibly lovely she was but it was also apparent that she was a hugely impressive campaigner for women with secondary breast cancer.

"Some of you may know that Heather sadly died earlier this month. I want to pay the utmost respect to her - she was a wonderful woman and will be greatly missed by those who knew her as well as those who followed her as she bravely shared her experiences online. I send my deepest sympathies to her loved ones.

"I will not forget Heather’s story. I have written to the relevant minister to raise the Enhertu issue on her behalf and will do everything I can to ensure that the very best help is available on the NHS to women with breast cancer.

Heather Sawyer and her husband Lee.Heather Sawyer and her husband Lee. (Image: HEATHER SAWYER) "Rest in peace, Heather. I hope your legacy will ensure this drug can help women like you in the future."

Heather's husband Lee Sawyer also issued a heartfelt tribute to his wife who he called his "best friend".

He told The Northern Echo: "Heather was inspirational, and with her, there was never a dull moment. It has been emotional seeing all of these tributes for her online.

"I know she has a large group of women she spoke to who she was leading through the bad times even though she was going through a hard time herself. 

Heather Sawyer, 50.Heather Sawyer, 50. (Image: HEATHER SAWYER) "She was my best friend, I have lost my best friend."

On social media, Lee also wrote: "We as a family want to firstly thank every one of you beautiful people who have visited sent well wishes and thought of Heather during this time.

"It has not gone unnoticed and we will be forever grateful to each and every one of you as you all made her know just how loved she was in her final days."

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TV star Lorraine Kelly also paid tribute to Heather on her show on October 7, saying she was "very sorry" to share the news.

Heather was a part of the breast cancer Change + Check Choir that appeared on the ITV show last year with their number one hit 'Golden'.

During the segment, Lorraine described Heather as an "astonishing woman" and said she was "so passionate" about the choir.