AN INSPIRATIONAL legacy has been left by a Bicester student who blogged the battle she faced after being diagnosed with a rare blood disorder in 2015.

Alice Byron, 21, died last month after suffering from myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and later leukaemia.

But as she soldiered through her illness, she set her mind to campaigning to raise awareness and in a short time raised thousands for charity.

Her family pay tribute to the eldest sibling of three, from Launton near Bicester, as a "fabulous writer", "mentor" and somebody who refused to quit.

Alice's dad Jonathan Byron said: "I am one half of two of the proudest parents that you could possibly imagine.

"It is a tragedy to know that in losing our little baby girl, between us all we have lost a daughter, grand-daughter, sister, niece, cousin, and the best friend you will ever have.

"Along with a fabulous writer, mentor, and lastly a lady who would have made a wonderful wife, mother and example to the next generation.

"Alice would never give up.

"Her refusal to quit was never more evident in her tackling her diagnosis head on.

"She took on her illness with such courage and strength and never complained, which only makes the outcome all the more unbelievable."

Ms Byron, who worked at Jamie Oliver’s Fabulous Feasts at the Tythe Barn, had been waiting for a bone marrow transplant and in December had been told a 90 per cent match was found in Germany - with the view to operating this summer.

But in February the Cardiff University student was diagnosed with Leukaemia and faced several rounds of chemotherapy treatment before the transplant on June 16.

Despite this, Ms Byron refused to let it stop her finishing her English Literature degree and submitted her dissertation from her hospital bed.

Just two days before passing away Alice was told she had secured a 2:1 in her studies.

Mr Byron added: "It has been said to us countless times over the last few weeks that Alice touched the hearts and lives of all those she met.

"She would have been embarrassed by the number of times she has been described as ‘inspirational’ but we must all continue be inspired by her to embrace life to the full and make the very most of it in her memory."

Hundreds of people have paid tribute to the former Marsh Gibbon Primary school and Aylesbury High school student - including family, friends, doctors and those she touched through her blog.

John Radcliffe doctor Rachel Clarke comments online: "Her words have demystified blood cancer, helped clinicians like me connect to what our patients feel but may not always be able to express, and given strength to countless others.

Blood Cancer charity Anthony Nolan posted "Alice inspired many people with frank and funny words about her experience with cancer and her blog encouraged hundreds to join the Anthony Nolan register

"But also provided courage and inspiration to others affected by blood disorders.

"Since her diagnosis in 2015, with the help of her loved ones, more than £20,000 has been raised in her name to support our work.

"Alice was, and is, an inspiration to us all.

"She leaves a truly astonishing legacy behind."