The widow of a much-loved poet described her wife as a "brilliant legendary woman" after she died following a three-year breast cancer battle.
Sandra Richardson had lived with the illness for three years and during her last months well-known figures including Alison Steadman, Jon Snow, Duncan Ferguson, Benjamin Zephaniah and Ruby Wax recited her poems online to show their support for the popular 57-year-old.
The Bootle woman died on Wednesday, September 25, in the arms of her wife, Clare Beloved, at Marie Curie Hospice in Woolton.
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Mrs Richardson was known as a social enterprise leader on Merseyside who forged a highly successful career as a chief executive of a youth cooperative and helped many children as they were growing up.
Mrs Beloved told the ECHO: "Sandra was a brilliant legendary woman who made everyone feel safe around her and the staff at Marie Curie went above and beyond to make her feel safe in her last difficult months.
"It’s an incredible testimony to her life that so many more people are now creating beautiful tributes and wanting to give even more money to the fundraiser that already stands at £21,000.
"Sandra was a very ordinary woman and happy being around ordinary people and had a gift for speaking to young people in a very grounded and down-to-earth way.
"But she also went to Downing Street, for example, and was comfortable sitting around a table with high-powered people, so to speak, and to speak her truth there.
"She really wanted to make a difference and give a voice to young people.
"It's quite unique how she could carry that voice and be herself and do amazing things in the world aswell."
Before moving into the hospice, Sandra lived in Toxteth with her wife and also left a large imprint in Knowsley where she helped raised thousands of pounds to help build the Our Place youth centre Huyton.
Her funeral takes place this Thursday in a private ceremony.
Mrs Beloved, 48, added: "It's been heartbreaking to lose her.
"People see us as a big love story - I've been trying to focus on her poems since she's gone.
"I feel like it's really important to tell her story.
"On her death certificate, it says the word "poet."
"She would have loved that."
Mrs Richardson was given the all clear around nine years ago after undergoing a double mastectomy and chemotherapy - and was looking forward to her future with her partner.
But they were rocked by the devastating news her cancer had returned, which it would eventually become clear was untreatable.
In the last few weeks of her life Sandra campaigned online to raise money for the Woolton Marie Curie Hospice.
Julie Zafari, a community fundraiser for the charity in Liverpool, said: “We’re so grateful for every penny that is donated to us – we couldn’t continue to provide the essential frontline nursing and hospice care and support we offer without the help of people like Sandra and Clare."
Channel 4 broadcaster Jon Snow said: "I am sad indeed to hear of Sandra's passing but thankful that she stayed so long.
"What a special person she was.
"She was an incredible force and what a lovely thing there is so much that is tangible that remind people of her energy and achievement.
"I am sending everyone who knew her much love and some memories of a remarkable woman."
Joleen McCulloch, 37, currently serving in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, remembered Sandra supporting her community.
She said: "Sandra took me under her wing when I was 6, she saved our local community centre and organised trips for all the local youth to Blackpool and North Wales.
"She was the best of us.
"As a child and teenager she was my mentor and as an adult she became my rock and my friend."
After Sandra died, it was announced she had been named on the Independent Happy List 2021 which celebrates the top 50 inspirational people in UK.
There will also be a Sandra Richardson Shero Soul Scholarship set up to allow a young person a year to publish their own book.
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