In memory of Natasha Young (née Longhurst)

Hi, all!
Welcome to our fundraising page.

This is Tash, our beautiful sister, daughter, wife, friend, colleague and family member (and our dog, Dobby!)


(Pictured December 2019)

Tashy was a unique, fiery, bursting with personality, 25 year old. She happily volunteered with St. John’s Ambulance in her spare time, and also loved her work at Winchester Cathedral.

Tash’s life (and subsequently our family’s life) has been completely and unexpectedly turned upside down. We lost our amazing Tash, in the space of just 6 months.

The timeline

In mid December 2019, while arranging the Winchester Christmas Market, Tash started to notice a pain her lower right area of her chest, close to her abdomen. She visited the doctor, who told her that it was nothing to worry about, and sent her away with painkillers.

Then, on January 20th 2020, Tash was complaining of a debilitating pain in her ribs on the right side again. The pain had worsened and she instead visited her own doctor, who referred her straight away for a CT scan due to decreased breathing sounds on the right side. She visited A&E, and she was in such pain to a point where she was unable to stand. The pain worsened and worsened, and Tash knew something wasn’t right. 

The CT scan was expedited, and it revealed a mass near, what they thought, was her lung. At this point, we were under the impression that this mass was caused by a hydatid cyst (A parasite in the lung) potentially caused by Tash’s global travels. Surgery was booked in to remove the cyst. 

On the 11th March 2020, our lives completely changed - The surgeon found a tumour and other masses located inside Tash’s chest cavity. He removed the primary tumour, but subsequent treatment was required to treat the rest. A test was run on the tumour, along with a PET scan of her body, and Tash was diagnosed with stage 4 “Undifferentiated spindle cell sarcoma” cancer.

On the 27th April 2020, Tash started chemotherapy. She had some complications including multiple infections and bad reactions, but she made it through 3 rounds of treatment. Unfortunately, it had no effect. Tash was terrified, and in incredible amounts of pain.

Around this time, our family was told by the doctors that Tash would not have long left with us, due to the aggressive and relentless nature of the illness. At one point, we were told she had around 3-12 weeks left. We were completely heartbroken.

On 22nd May 2020, Tash and Simon got married during a beautiful ceremony in the Hospital chapel with very short notice, and a lot of help from the nurses. It was a magical day, and truly one of a kind, especially given that no one could marry during COVID! We felt very lucky as a family to have been able to witness this truly special moment between Tash and Simon. They had been able to marry the loves of their lives, at last.

We spent the remaining time we had left with Tash by her side, chatting, keeping her fed and watered (when she was able to!), giving hugs and kisses, doing trips to and from the pharmacy, and playing her favourite music. Simon even recreated the northern lights on the bedroom ceiling with a projector!

Tash passed away on the 25th June 2020 at 5:02am, surrounded by her family.

This is where you can help to say thank you, in Tash’s memory. 

We would really like your support to thank those who have been looking after Tash through her treatment and subsequent complications.

We will be splitting funds raised from this fundraiser to Teenage Cancer Trust and the TYA (Teenage and young adult) ward in Southampton General Hospital, who have been excellent and so kind, looking after Tash whilst also supporting other patients too.

If you choose to donate today, you will be directly improving quality of life for someone, somewhere.

Please help

If you can help in any way at all, know Tash or her family, or you are a complete stranger who is touched by the story and wants to make a difference to someone’s life - We are asking you from the deepest of our hearts to support these crowdfunding efforts.

All funds allocated to Teenage Cancer Trust charity will include gift aid at the point of donation. The funds allocated for the specialist unit in Southampton will be made in “cash” as a separate donation.

We appreciate that times are tough for people right now, so we are thankful for anything that we may receive. 

Thank you once again from our family to yours,

From the Longhurst & Young family

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