LUCY WAS BRAVE UNTIL THE VERY END
Gallant athlete passes away
Brain tumour claims woman, 25:
TRIBUTES have been paid to an athlete and health crusader who lost her battle against a brain tumour aged just 25.
Lucy Beesley’s “brave” and “gallant” work of raising awareness of the condition in young people will live on, said her local MP after she died earlier this month at her Anglesey home.
The former teaching assistant had battled Glioblastoma Multiforme – an incurable and rare brain tumour – since the age of 19.
But determined not to let it get the better of her, the former International Island Games runner took part in the Anglesey Half Marathon last year, completing the course in a time of two hours and 24 minutes.
Lucy, from Marianglas, had set up a blog – titled ‘Fighting Fit’ – to chronicle her inspiring journey through chemotherapy while raising awareness of brain tumours in young people.
Following her death on March 19, the funeral was held at Ban- gor Crematorium on Wednesday, with those present including fellow members of Anglesey’s Island Games squad.
Lucy, a former Ysgol David Hughes pupil, had won the 100 metres silver medal in the 2007 games in Rhodes, aged just 15.
But despite her diagnosis, she travelled with the squad to both the 2013 and 2015 events in Bermuda and Jersey respectively, competing at the last games in the 400 metres and the 4x400 metres relay.
Barry Edwards, the athletics co-ordinator for Anglesey’s Island Games squad, described Lucy as a “bubbly young woman, full of personality.”
He added: “She still holds Anglesey’s all-time record in the female 100 metres, which shows what a talented athlete she was.
“She’d become great friends with members of the team over the years, many of which attended her funeral on Wednesday.
“The thing about Lucy was she was always positive, and even after being diagnosed with her brain tumour, she was still determined to battle e on.
“She competed at Jersey two years ago with sheer hard work meaning she e could overcome all adversity.. She’ll be greatly missed.”
The island’s MP, Albert Owen, who met Lucy last year, was adamant that her “gallant work would go on.”
He said: “Firstly, I offer my sincere condolences to Lucy’s family and friends.
“I had the privilege of meeting Lucy. She was both a brave and kind person. I support her campaign to raise awareness on brain tumours in young people.
“As vice-chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Cancer, I will work in Parliament with others to carry on Lucy’s work in getting additional resources for brain tumours in young people.
“I recently invited Lucy to Parliament to meet with colleagues, however she was too ill to attend. But her gallant work will go on, because I have met some remarkable people – none more so than Lucy.”