A GRIEVING husband has launched a heartfelt campaign to raise �100,000 in memory of his inspirational wife after she died from breast cancer.

Community volunteer Lisa Barnes was known as a “little soldier” before she lost her two-year battle against stomach cancer in on September 15 this year.

Determined to make sure her “positive legacy” lives on, devoted husband Robert Barnes has set up a memorial fund in her name and has already been swarmed by people wanting to give money in the street.

His ambitious target is in aid of the Arthur Rank Hospice Charity, who he wants to thank for caring for Lisa during the emotional last eight days of her life.

Mr Barnes, who lives in Ely, said: “When she was at the hospice, Lisa said: ‘I feel as though I’m one step away from heaven.’

“We spent our last days together in the hospice and it changed our lives. They looked after us so well and I felt as though we had become part of the family. The staff were like angels.”

The community stalwart volunteered for Cambridgeshire County Council and Fenland District Council to help families with difficult children before she was diagnosed with her illness in November 2008.

She had just 12 days to prepare for surgery to remove her complete stomach but battled through to build her body strength so she could start chemotherapy.

After six sessions she seemed to have turned the corner but was diagnosed with secondary growth last year.

She had to undergo major surgery on Christmas Eve 2009 and start another long road to recovery before she became “very, very ill” in 2010.

The cancer had spread to her bones but she and her husband kept it secret for two weeks as they grieved privately for their loss.

Even when she went into Arthur Rank Hospice, Mr Barnes says “each day was greeted with characteristic enthusiasm” and added: “Lisa would never lie down to die.”

She passed away just four days before her 58th birthday.

“As Lisa’s illness progressed, she remained positive to the last and was known affectionately as the ‘little soldier’,” Mr Barnes said.

“Lisa is very much missed but she leaves a very positive legacy behind her. She was dedicated to others during her lifetime and that is why her family and friends have established the Lisa Barnes Memorial Fund in her honour, to raise funds to help others as Lisa would wish.”

Anyone who wants to donate should contact Mr Barnes on 01353 669880 or 07885 087458. Alternatively people can email lisaloulabell@yahoo.co.uk.