Colleagues of a “truly inspirational” woman with terminal cancer have raised thousands of pounds for her hospice.

Sam Ryan, 32, of Woodford Green, is currently in St Francis Hospice, Havering-atte-Bower.

She has fought a series of brain tumours for the last two years, running the London Marathon on the way.

Friends at the Fullwell Cross Leisure Centre, High Street, Barkingside where she has worked since she was a student in 1998, have been so inspired by her energy and spirit they organised a swimathon that saw 400 people splashing more than

35,000m.

Close friend and colleague Clare Woods, 35, said: “Sam is such a wonderful person who has touched so many lives over the years.

“She is the most determined and brave person I know, truly inspirational.

“The Swimathon seemed like a great idea.”

Last week’s event raised nearly �3,000 for St Francis with more sponsorship money being collected and a Just Giving page set up online for Sam currently standing at �1,600.

After the event friends and centre staff presented a cheque to Sam’s sister, Julie Moss, to be given to the hospice which cares for adults in boroughs including Redbridge.

Mrs Moss, who took part in the swim, said: “Sam has had a very tough four years but she has never let that get her down,.

“She made the decision to carry on her treatment in February and we support that as her family.

“She has been an absolute inspiration to everyone.”

Last year Miss Ryan raised an impressive �3,500 for the scan unit that treated her brain tumour by running the London Marathon in under seven hours, and was determined to carry on working at the Barkingside leisure centre after she was told her cancer was terminal.

Another friend, Billy-Jo Lindfield, 31, said: “Sam is such a very strong person who has never given up.

“She carried on working, and looking after her mum, which is absolutely amazing.” As well as working at Fullwell Cross, Miss Ryan has worked as a PE teacher in St Albans and been devoted to the girl guiding movement.

To donate money towards the appeal visit www.justgiving.com/sam-ryan.