A Royal Air Force worker who lived long enough to fulfil her bucket list dream of going to New York City has succumbed to ovarian cancer aged just 25.

Emily Kendrick, who served as a stewardess for the RAF and spent time in Afghanistan, was surrounded by her family and friends when she died on Friday.

The young woman, from Ystrad Mynach, Wales, was just 23 when she found a lump in her belly button and surgery revealed it was ovarian cancer.

Due to generosity of friends, family and strangers, Emily was able to take her dream trip to New York City with her mother, sister and grandmother.

Now Emily's mother Sonia has spoken of her pride at the way her daughter lived her life since her terminal diagnosis.

Royal Air Force worker Emily Kendrick lived long enough to fulfil her bucket list dream of going to New York before she succumbed to ovarian cancer aged just 25

Due to generosity of friends, family and strangers, Emily was able to take her dream trip to New York City with her mother, sister and grandmother

Sonia said: 'As a mum you always want your children to be loved and I had never realised how much she was loved until the last few days and how much she touched people's lives.

'She was a truly wonderful girl.

The family have been told that Emily has been awarded a medal from the RAF for her service in Afghanistan.

Emily, from Ystrad Mynach, was just 23 when she found a lump in her belly button and surgery revealed it was ovarian cancer.

She had treatment at the University Hospital of Wales and Cardiff's Velindre Cancer Centre, having six months of chemotherapy.

She was able to return to her role in the RAF but in July 2016 a routine scan revealed two areas of concern.

She was told, aged 24, she would need a hysterectomy. When she was taken back to theatre surgeons discovered her cancer had not only returned but was inoperable.

Emily was diagnosed with ovarian cancer two years ago. She was due to undergo a hysterectomy when doctors told her the illness had spread - and was inoperable. Pictured: Emily with family members in New York City

Bucket list: Emily was initially going to take the trip to New York for Mum Sonia's birthday in 2019, but they moved the trip forward

The young woman, from Ystrad Mynach, Wales, was just 23 when she found a lump in her belly button and surgery revealed it was ovarian cancer

Her family were desperate to help her achieve her dreams and strangers from around the world donated more than £7,000 to help them do just that.

The generosity of friends, family and strangers meant Emily, Sonia, sister Amy, and grandmother Jane could take the trip of a lifetime to New York. The memories of which they said they will treasure forever.

Her other dream was to see Wales take on Ireland in Dublin in the Six Nations.

After hearing her story, the WRU stepped in to give Emily the chance to join the players for lunch before joining them on the plane to Ireland.

But Emily's health deteriorated and she was unable to take the trip.

'She hadn't been well and we were supposed to go to Ireland on the Thursday but instead she was admitted to the Royal Gwent Hospital.'

Emily spent five weeks in hospital.

Emily was told, aged 24, she would need a hysterectomy. When she was taken back to theatre surgeons discovered her cancer had not only returned but was inoperable

Her family were desperate to help her achieve her dreams and strangers from around the world donated more than £7,000 to help them do just that

Her condition worsened but she was allowed home for Easter and the family could spend some precious time together.

Emily will have a military funeral in Ystrad Mynach.

'I am trying to be strong because I know this will be the last thing I do for Emily and it's got to be perfect. I've told her she has to continue to help me through this. We were so strong for each other and so she just has to help me through this last bit.

'It's been so cruel, she was such a gorgeous girl'.

Sonia has been sent hundreds of messages from people since Emily's death.

'It has helped to know that Emily was so loved. I am just overwhelmed with how many people loved her and how well thought of she was. She was such a fighter. Everybody loved her,' said Sonia.

'All the messages are just so lovely to see.

The family have been told that Emily has been awarded a medal from the RAF for her service in Afghanistan

'As her mum it just makes me so proud that my daughter was so loved and so well thought of.

'It has been such an awful time but we have met some fantastic people and made really good friends. That is a little positive I can take from it. I have seen the best in people at the worst of times.'

She said the family is taking some comfort in the messages they have received since Emily's death.

'She was such a fighter.'

The RAF has assigned a family liaison officer to help with arrangements.

'There were a number of people who wanted to be her family liaison officer because so many people thought so highly of her at RAF Brize Norton,' said Sonia.