Heartbroken tributes have been paid to a 'truly inspirational' Gateshead woman who has died at the age of 28.
'Intelligent', 'beautiful' and 'caring', Amy Anderson will never be forgotten by those whose lives she touched.
Amy, from Springwell, Gateshead, was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2019, when she was just 25.
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She endured round after round of gruelling treatment with positivity, even throwing herself back into life as a solicitor after her first round of chemotherapy and radiation.
But the cancer returned after a number of treatments, and eventually doctors delivered the devastating news that it was incurable.
Despite everything she was going through, Amy said she "refused to let it ruin my life" and remained determined to stay positive.
Through it all, she also fought to help other cervical cancer sufferers. She shared the news of her diagnosis and aspects of her journey, raising awareness of cervical cancer and its symptoms. Her first post about her diagnosis was shared 2,500 times in a matter of days, with many women writing they had booked in smear tests as a result.
She continued to urge people to trust their instincts and get any worrying symptoms checked out, as well as calling for the age for smear tests to be lowered.
Amy's partner, Gareth Wilson, called Amy a "true inspiration".
He said: "I can’t put into words how much this girl was loved and loved by me.
"[S]he was perfect for me, strong-minded, intelligent and beautiful with a biggest of hearts going, most passionate and caring person always thinking of others over her own needs."
Amy "gave everything" to staying strong and refused to let the disease bring her down, Gareth said.
Heartbroken, he said he had lost his 'soulmate', 'best friend' and 'a part of me'.
Paying tribute to Amy, who died on January 18, he said: "I will always be grateful of the day meeting you and will always cherish that memory, falling for you was the best thing and you made such an impact on me you changed my life forever.
"You will always live on in everyone’s life as you were such an amazing person, you touched everyone’s heart you met and no one will ever forget you.
"I hope even now you will still help guide me in life, I love you more than words and actions can describe, I’ll always will love you. As you said to me 'our time together isn’t over and we will meet again'."
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