Tributes have been paid to a “kind, loving, and friendly” Yarm mum who died just months after being diagnosed with terminal cancer.

Isabelle Collins, known as Izzy to her friends and Belle to her family, was diagnosed with stage four cancer in March after having symptoms including a bad back. 

But in September, the mum-of-two was given the tragic news that her condition had deteriorated and that she now had just months to live. 

Izzy's family issued a heartbreaking statement last week confirming that the 30-year-old had sadly died on November 18, with those closest to her by her side.

More than £14,000 had been raised for Izzy before her passing, and this will now go towards her children Kaiya, 10 and Violet, one.

Izzy CollinsIzzy Collins (Image: COLLINS FAMILY)

This week, Izzy’s sister-in-law Nichola Collins, who has known Izzy for 13 years, paid tribute to her “kind-hearted and caring” friend.

Nichola, 35, told The Northern Echo: “Isabelle would do anything for anyone. She had a wicked personality and a great sense of humour.

“She was just the kindest, most loving, and friendliest person you could ever meet. UI know it sounds cliche but she just was. 

“Don’t get me wrong - she’d tell you exactly what she was thinking! But she was just amazing - you struggle to find the words sometimes. 

“She didn’t have a bad bone in her body, if you rang her and needed anything, she would be there.” 

The mum-of-two had symptoms including a bad back when she was first diagnosed with neuroendocrine, which are spinal tumours that release hormones into the bloodstream.

Izzy with her friendsIzzy with her friends (Image: COLLINS FAMILY)

Izzy said everything “snowballed” after the diagnosis in March, with the following months seeing treatment including chemotherapy and injections.

Her final weeks were spent at Hartlepool’s Alice House Hospice.

A fundraiser, with a £10,000 target, was set up earlier this year by Izzy’s friends Nieve and Emily Woodhouse to help ease the worry of finances and help her make memories with her little girls. 

While Izzy wasn’t able to do all of the things organised for her and her daughters due to her illness, the money will now be put towards their future.

Nichola, who has been with Izzy’s brother Josh for 13 years and married to him for six, continued: “We knew how much of a great person she was - but she got messages from people she had never even met, who were willing to do all sorts to make her final weeks more comfortable. 

“It just restores your faith in humanity. There are real lovely people who still want to do nice things. She was so grateful.” 

Izzy’s funeral will now take place in Stockton early next month. 

Her family said: “In the early hours of [Monday, November 18], Isabelle lost her battle with cancer. Isabelle passed peacefully with her loving family and friends by her side. 

Recommended reading:

Get more from The Northern Echo with a digital subscription. Click here.

“Isabelle will forever live on in our hearts and thoughts. Isabelle will continue to shine every day through the eyes of her girls, Kaiya and Violet. 

“Please allow time for our family to grieve.”

You can donate to the GoFundMe here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-isabelle-collins-cancer-battle