Naomi Scarano was just 34 when she died. Her best friends had seen her and talked with her the day before and were "completely unaware of what lay ahead".
Naomi had suffered with mental health and self harm for a number of years. Now her friends are on a mission to raise awareness surrounding mental health following her death in 2019.
One of her friends, Katie Bullon, said the coronavirus pandemic meant that her friends had not had the chance to properly mourn the loss of Naomi.
She said: "Naomi had an amazing sense of humour, roaring laugh and an honest approach to everything she did. Her kindness and caring nature were genuinely unique. She was an amazing friend, sister, daughter and auntie.
"But everyone who loved her knew she suffered, and she battled with her mental health and self-harmed for a long time.
"We went to high school together and she was always so fun, driven and opinionated. My main memory of hers was her laughter and she was always a key part of our group."
Eight of her school friends, from Cowbridge, will be taking part in the Welsh 3 Peaks challenge in June. The group of friends met in high school and remained close throughout their adult lives.
They say they hope to raise awareness on people suffering with mental health issues particuarly during the pandemic.
Naomi would have turned 36 earlier this week. Her friends said she was an "amazing friend, sister, daughter and auntie".
"She was one of those friends who would always be there for you no matter what. She never judged anyone and because you were her friend she would support you regardless," Katie said.
Katie said the group has had lots of messages and support from Naomi's family and friends.
"When me and my friends had children, she treated them like they were her own," she said.
"It was sad she never had her own children but she made it up by treating her nieces and nephews like they were her own.
"It was a huge shock even though we knew she struggled with her mental health. She loved technology and cars and appeared to be so in control of so many aspects of her life.
"It was really difficult to deal with the fact that this side of her life got the better of her.
"I had a little girl a few months after she passed away and then the pandemic happened so we haven't been able to mourn her death. We wanted to do something together but also do something good in her name.
"Her story has touched so many people and it's important to know that so many people are suffering with mental health. It is okay to not be okay and being there for other people is so important.
"We are overwhelmed with the support and the donations that we've had. People who knew Naomi have donated and sent support and also people want to raise awareness on mental health."
The group are raising money for a charity called Scuff which helps fund life-changing tattoos to cover self-harm scars.
They aim to give people confidence to move forward and face the recovery journey with a renewed strength.
Hollie Bottrill, 35, originally from Penmark in Barry, said: "Naomi is such a big loss in our group especially since we knew each other since we were 14. She had a really big loud laugh and was a force to be reckoned with.
"She always had us in stitches and over the years, you experience so much together so we all went through that journey together."
She added: "We have seen the affects the pandemic has had on mental health and we need to have those discussions. Behind self harm, there is always complex mental health issues.
"The charity really gives people the chance to move on in life and we can see the changes they make to people's lives. It's really special and the charity have been so supportive.
"The support from people has been amazing. The year that we've had has shone a light on mental health and ultimately, people are giving their money to our wonderful friend Naomi.
"I would love to turn around and tell Naomi about it all but she isn't here. Those moments are tough but it really helps us to cherish her memories and we can really hold on to the ones we do have."
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For confidential support, the Samaritans can be contacted for free around the clock 365 days a year on 116 123.
