In August 2007, the day after her 20th birthday, our daughter Melissa was diagnosed with Non Hodgkins Lymphoma. Sadly, Mel was one of the unlucky ones and in the early hours of May 11 2008 she died. Mel showed amazing courage during her illness and she continues to be an inspiration to many people, not just in the UK, but across the world.

 Mel loved her family and friends. She was studying psychology at Aston University and threw herself into university life with passion and enthusiasm. She was an avid football fan and supported Liverpool and her local team Burton Albion, unlike me, her father, who supports Burton Albion . . . and Everton!

Following her diagnosis Mel was helped tremendously by the Lymphoma Association, now known as Lymphoma Action.  We also received support from other amazing charities such as St Giles Hospice and The Willow Foundation. She chatted in the chat room, left messages on the message board of the Lymphoma Action website and would always find time to help others. It is for that reason that we have set up this tribute fund in memory of our beautiful and amazing daughter, Melissa Alice Leech x