A “truly inspirational” teacher who raised thousands of pounds for for charity while battling a brain tumour has died.

Sam Ryan of Woodford Green, passed away at St Francis Hospice, Havering-atte-Bower, on Tuesday, aged 32.

She had fought a series of brain tumours over the last four years, finding the energy to run the London Marathon last year.

Friends and former colleagues at the Fullwell Cross Leisure Centre, High Street, Barkingside were so inspired by her energy and spirit they organised a swimathon that saw 400 people splashing more than 35,000m last week.

Miss Ryan’s sister Julie Moss said: “Sam was a very couragous and brilliant person, She loved her three nephews dearly and lived for them.

“She is with the angels now and will look over us all, she will be the brightest star shining in the sky.”

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.

As well as working at Fullwell Cross, Miss Ryan worked as a PE teacher in St Albans and was devoted to the girl guiding movement.