Details of celebration of life for Nicolette Baker in Porthleven

Nicolette Baker, who grew up in Porthleven and more recently lived near Truro, had headed to Germany for surgery to aid her condition after crowdfunding raised nearly £100,000, from an original £80,000 target.

The 36-year-old had suffered from Superior Mesenteric Artery syndrome, which affects 0.013% of the population. The condition went undetected as a child and meant that she suffered sickness and pain whenever she tried to eat.

It left her massively underweight and weighing only three stone, becoming increasingly weak as more organs became starved of blood supply.

However, Nicolette had found a clinic in Germany specialising in severe vascular compressions, which had agreed to perform what had been hoped would be lifesaving surgery in February.

With a cost of £50,000 for the operation, in addition to other costs such as accommodation, flights, travel and medical insurance, an £80,000 target was set. By the end of the fundraising, however, almost £100,000 had been raised.

Friends and family, together with complete strangers touched by her story, raised almost £100,000 for surgery Picture: Nicolette Baker / SWNS

Nicolette, who was also known as Stéphanie to her family and friends, had travelled to Germany but sadly it proved too much and she died just days from having the operation that could have changed her life.

Now, two months on, her family hope to hold a celebration of her life, at which people can tell stories, share memories and remember a woman who liked nothing more than to help others, regularly cooking for the homeless and spending her most recent Christmas Day at St Petroc’s homeless shelter, serving dinner to those in need, despite being so poorly herself.

This will take place at Out Of The Blue in Porthleven, on May 9, at 6.30pm.

Friend Mark Pollard, who organised a charity auction along with James Kitto, raising £12,500 of the overall total to send Nicolette to Germany for the operation, wrote an open invitation on Facebook, saying: "As I'm sure you heard, sadly Steph (or Nicolette) didn't make it quite to her operation that may have saved her life, despite everyone's support.

Nicolette's favourite photo with her whippet, Eden

"The love she felt in that last two months though I know she greatly appreciated.

"On Monday, May 9, Steph's mum has asked if people could gather to celebrate her life, tell stories and just get together to remember the good person she was. It will be held at Out Of The Blue and all are welcome with their families too if you wish.

"All the best and feel free to share this with others."