KEIGHLEY mum Gemma Wilkinson has lost her brave battle against the cancer that led to her having a leg amputated last year.

Gemma’s husband Paul this week said the family were “devastated beyond words” after she died in his arms in the early hours of last Friday.

Paul led a fundraising campaign last summer to fund adaptations to their home in Long Lee to make life easier for Gemma as she rehabilitated.

But the cancer returned earlier this year and further fundraising was organised so the family could travel to Birmingham and London, where Gemma was being treated.

She underwent further chemotherapy last month and Paul had used Facebook to keep well-wishers updated on his wife’s courageous struggle.

Family, friends and supporters this week paid tribute to Gemma, who had three children, teenager Luca and under-tens Georgia and Jack.

One of them said many people had paid tribute to how kind, caring and loyal Gemma had been, adding: “Her posts about her brave and curious battle with cancer were so honest and inspiring that I’m sure they will help so many people.”

Paul this week said: “I feel completely numb. I’ve lost my best friend and soul mate, the best mother, daughter and sister anyone could ask for. She was the love of my life. I was so so proud to be her husband.

“Gemma was the most amazing mother to our three beautiful children Luca, Georgia and Jack. To have her in my life was such a privilege and honour.”

Paul said the support, messages and generosity from people during Gemma’s battle against cancer had taken a huge burden off the family.

He particularly wanted to thank Gemma's mother Joan, sister Tiffany and nieces Ameliya and Aliya for their love and support.

Gemma’s ordeal began in November 2018 when she began to get pains in her left leg. She initially thought nothing of it and after visiting her GP was told that it was a muscular injury.

Following further investigation cancer was suspected, and Gemma, then working at Holroyd’s estate agents, went to see a specialist in Birmingham in January 2019.

Osteosarcoma Cancer, which affects around 160 people in the UK every year, was diagnosed. Following chemotherapy, surgeons operated to remove the tumour.

Despite its successful removal it had damaged too many of Gemma’s veins and nerves, and her leg had to be amputated above the knee.

Gemma faced another 18 weeks of chemotherapy followed by months of rehabilitation to enable her to walk again, and with the life changing disability came substantial financial costs.

A Just Giving campaign was launched last summer to pay for the numerous adaptations needed for the house.

But earlier this year the cancer returned, and Gemma had to undergo more weeks of gruelling treatment.