THE FAMILY of a girl who lost her battle with cancer at 21 have vowed to complete her bucket list in her memory.

Becca Ridley, who was cared for during her final days by Basildon’s St Luke’s Hospice, had hoped to go to Disneyland, visit New York, go on a cruise, and even volunteer at a dog shelter.

However, when her condition rapidly deteriorated, her family realised not every goal would be possible.

At just 20-years-old, Becca was diagnosed with stage three bowel cancer in December 2019.

After months of initial tests, treatment and appointments, Becca went for another scan in June 2020 to be told that the cancer had spread to her liver and lungs.

Sadly, it was no longer curable and she passed away earlier this year.

Kelsey Ridley, Becca’s sister, said: “In January 2020, Becca began a course of chemotherapy over three months.

“She would have her pen and pad with her when she attended appointments and would make notes of what the doctors said, writing everything down.

“Becca wasn’t afraid to ask questions – she wanted to make sure she fully understood everything that she was being told about her illness.

“When the initial three months of treatment was complete, Becca had another scan.

“At an appointment with her oncologist in June last year, she was told that it was no longer curable.

“When she received this news, Becca decided to once again put pen to paper and she wrote down a bucket list – a list of things she wanted to do or experience before she passed away.

“By December last year, the secondary cancer in Becca’s lungs had worsened and was growing at a rapid pace.”

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It was at that point, Becca, from Chadwell St Mary, decided to start working through her bucket list.

Although some of the items on her list were not achievable, Becca was able to go ice skating, meet the famous YouTubers Achievement Hunters, buy an electric scooter and went out for a proper steakhouse meal with her sister before passing away earlier this year.

Kelsey continued: “We were with her at the hospice when she passed away. Even then, at an extremely upsetting time, the nurses who were with us helped to keep us all calm. Lisa, one of the nurses, still talked to Becca even after she passed, explaining what was happening.

“I really take my hat off to the teams at the hospice – they are true superheroes.

“As a tribute to Becca, the family are going to continue working through the experiences on her bucket list that she wasn’t able to complete.

“This will include me skydiving, even though I’m terrified of heights.”

Visit www.stlukeshospice.