TRIBUTES have been paid to Val Bugden-Cawsey of Launceston, who lost her courageous fight against cancer at the weekend.

For months, Val ‘stood tall’ in the face of cancer following the devastating diagnosis that she had malignant melanoma.

There was no treatment available to cure her, and she made the decision to put all her efforts into fundraising to help others who found themselves in a similar situation.

Val’s fundraising appeal was started, and to date has raised over £25,000. Val set a target of £50,000 and anyone who wants to contribute, now in Val’s memory, can do so at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/val-walks-tall

The appeal was boosted greatly in July by the ‘Val Walks Tall in the Face of Melignant Melanoma’ walk and cream tea event, held in Launceston, and supported by so many.

Sadly, Val passed away at home on Saturday after a brave battle against the disease. She certainly did what she set out to do — to face it head on, and she has left a legacy to be proud of.

A number of tributes have been paid to this remarkable lady.

The flag on Launceston Town Hall flew at half mast on Monday as a mark of respect.

Mayor of Launceston, Margaret Young, said: “I didn’t know Val until she became a councillor but it soon became apparent that we were destined to become close friends.

“We both had a great love of good food, we were both caterers, and we understood the need to serve top quality meals. Our politics were different but we agreed with each other on so many council matters and she was a pleasure to work with.

“I was devastated when she was diagnosed with cancer, I had lost my husband to the disease and this was another blow, however, her fundraising gave us a focus, she was determined to raise funds for research.

“Val’s walk was one example when the community turned out in force. I made 600 scones that day and my friends and colleagues helped raise a huge amount which we presented to Derriford.

“I continued to visit her at home throughout her illness and we shared many laughs and tales. She was a remarkable lady who is an example to us all. I shall miss her so much and I love her dearly.”

Val worked as campaigner for North Cornwall Conservative MP Scott Mann, who said: “Her strength during the battle with malignant melanoma was inspirational, and during that time she continued to support and give back to our community with her ‘Val Walks Tall’ campaign.

“I would like to ask readers to support the campaign in her memory, which can be found at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/val-walks-tall

“Val will be sorely missed by all of us, and I would like to offer my condolences to her husband Terry and the family.”

Louise Finn, president of St Stephens by Launceston WI, said: “In the short time I knew her, Val was an energetic, dynamic force of nature; she inspired many people both young and old alike as a Launceston councillor and with her campaigning for local MP, Scott Mann.

“She was a strong supporter of the WI and its ideals serving as president at St Stephens by Launceston for several years. As her successor I learnt quickly from her and from the wealth of stories she had to tell. I often think that we bonded so well as we both had a background in high end catering — and the pressures that come with such a role.

“Her experiences in the WI ranged from local meetings through to public speaking on a national stage. One of her proudest moments was organising many WIs from Cornwall and Devon meeting together in Launceston on June 14, 2015 to celebrate the WI Centenary along with the live streaming of the WI AGM from the Royal Albert Hall.

“In the audience was our dear friend, the late Monica Doidge representing St Stephens by Launceston. A WI baton had been passed all around the country to finish at the Royal Albert Hall to be presented to the Princess Royal who accepted on behalf of HM the Queen.

“Val of course spent some of her happiest years working for the Princess Royal and was immensely proud of her period of service. The Princess Royal sent her wishes and thoughts to Val when hearing of her diagnosis.

“For the last year our WI has concentrated all of our fundraising efforts towards Val’s malignant melanoma research fund. She was deeply loved and will be sadly missed by us all at St Stephens by Launceston WI and our thoughts go out to her husband Terry and family.”

Barrie Boundy, a friend, who sat alongside Val on the St Stephens Residents’ Association, said: “She was a very courageous lady. She fought it as well as she could. She will certainly be missed. When she was on the residents’ association, she was absolutely brilliant.”

Corinne Bailey, charity development manager at University Hospitals Plymouth, said: “We are all truly saddened by the news of Val’s death. Having known Val for a little over six months, we were bowled over by her ‘joie de vivre’, her sense of humour and her kindness. Val was an inspiration to anyone who met her.

“Her thoughts were for those people in the future who might receive a diagnosis of malignant melanoma. She was determined to make a difference and threw herself into organising fundraising activities for the charity at Derriford Hospital. Val raised over £26,000 since June 2018 and she has entrusted us to ensure it is used to make treatment easier for patients in the future.

“Val was loved and admired for her work as a public speaker and there was never a dry eye in the room, as she would entertain us with stories of her life and her observations of people. Our tears today are sad ones, but she definitely wouldn’t want us to linger long, but to instead get on with the task in hand of reaching her £50,000 target. Our heartfelt condolences go out to all her family and many friends.”