Family and friends carry on the legacy of Wirral woman Julie Shute

Julie Shute passed away on September 9 after a two year battle with an incurable and aggressive form of brain cancer.

During her fight, the 54-year-old did all she could to raise awareness of the condition and help fund research for others in her position.

On Friday, her friends and family will continue her legacy at a Macmillan Coffee Morning held in her memory.

Organised by close friend and Gogglebox star Eve Woerdenwber, the event – in Birkenhead Market – will raise vital funds for cancer research as well as celebrating the incredible person Julie was.

Eve – who will be running the coffee morning with Julie’s husband Andy – first met Julie on her birthday in July.

She told the Globe she wanted to do something special to remember the woman she was proud to call her friend.

Julie Shute, pictured above with husband Andy and Wirral's Gogglebox family the Woerdenwebers.

“Julie had a brilliant sense of humour. She was a fantastic person and even at the end she was completely full of life,” said Eve, who shared a passion for vintage with Julie.

“We would sit there for hours talking about vintage stuff. It was amazing because you hear about people who have cancer not being themselves but Julie did her best to be herself and I think that’s what kept everyone going. She was very, very positive.

“She was absolutely lovely and I’m heartbroken that she’s gone. I wish I was able to spend more time with her.”

Julie was diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme in August 2013 and given a life expectancy of around 14 months. She was diagnosed with a second brain tumour one year later.

But while the devastating news would make some want to lock themselves away and feel sorry for themselves, that was not the case for Julie and husband Andy.

When she was diagnosed, Julie described the moment as “like taking a punch from Mike Tyson”.

She knew the cancer would ultimately take her life but vowed to do whatever she could to help save a life in the future.

And that is exactly what she did through endless fundraising and countless trips to Clatterbridge Cancer Centre.

Julie and husband Andy at one of their many trips to Clatterbridge Cancer Centre.

The couple carried on the best they could, choosing to share the highs and lows with others on Julie’s online blog.

Andy said: “Throughout her illness, Julie campaigned relentlessly to support local charities. It’s fantastic that Eve is helping Julie’s charitable legacy live on.

“In a very short space of time, Eve and Julie became close friends and I feel honoured that Eve suggested and wanted to hold this coffee morning in Julie’s memory.”

Julie and husband Andy.

During the last three month’s of Julie’s life, she and Andy were supported by an amazing hands-on team of Macmillan nurses, something Andy said he will never be able to repay.

He added: “It’s not often we get to see the end result of our charitable donations in action, donations to Macmillan make a huge difference to every community including ours here on Merseyside.”

The coffee morning will take place from 9am on Friday in Birkenhead Market.

Eve added: “Julie was and still is in everybody’s minds. That’s why we just wanted to do something special for her.

“We haven’t got a target in mind but we just want to raise as much as we can. It doesn’t matter if it’s 10p or 20p – whatever people can put in will be fantastic and we can just enjoy the day and the memory of Julie.”