A family have paid tribute to a "determined" woman who was a "force to be reckoned with" after she died of cancer.
Laura Nuttall was just 23 when she died on Monday, May 22 following a battle with incurable brain cancer. She was 18-years-old when she was diagnosed with Glioblastoma Multiforme - a fast-growing and aggressive brain tumour in 2018 and was given the heartbreaking prognosis she had around a year to live.
The 23-year-old was first told something was wrong when she went for a routine eye test as part of a physical as she wanted to join the Royal Navy at King's College London University.
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Speaking to the ECHO, mum Nicola said: "Laura nipped into the Westfield Boots and they said there was a bit of pressure behind her eyes. She really didn't worry about it and they told her go straight to Moorfields. But she actually went straight back to uni and gave a presentation and fell asleep in the lecture, which was not like her at all - that was one of the signs there was something going on.
"She had just got a job at Ladbrokes, but couldn't get them on the phone, so walked all the way to Stratford town centre to tell them she couldn't come to work because she needed to go to hospital.
"Then eventually she got to Moorfields quite late in the evening. They couldn't see anything wrong and they said they would refer her to a neurologist."
Nicola said the next day they could not get in contact with Laura as her phone was turned off. Eventually when Laura saw the missed calls and messages she called back and told her family she had a severe headache and was vomiting.
She asked if they could come down to London and when they arrived, Nicola said Laura looked "really poorly" and took her to hospital. A CT scan later revealed Laura had at least two brain tumours.
Laura then had to leave her university course at King's after just six weeks following the news and was later scheduled for surgery.
Nicola added: "The day of the surgery we went to wake her up as we had to get there early, around 7am, and she was staring at the ceiling and it came apparent she was actually unconscious, with her eyes open.
"As we tried to wake her she had a massive tonic-clonic seizure and was unconscious."
Laura did have the surgery but was told it was Glioblastoma Multiforme, stage four, and terminal. When she received the news Laura asked, "does this mean I can't go back to uni this year or do I have to wait until next year?" and doctors had to tell she would not be going back at all.
However, Laura did and graduated from the University of Manchester last year, graduating with a 2:1. She also made a bucket list while undergoing chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and also flying to Germany every four weeks for immunotherapy, which is not available on the NHS, with money raised by friends and supporters.
Laura also travelled to South Africa first class, visited New York for free, and met some of the cast of hit American sketch show, Saturday Night Live, including Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. She also rode on a motorbike with Ron Haslam at 158mph, met Michelle Obama on her book tour, drove two lorries, Facetimed Malala Yousafzai, and attended a Johnny Marr concert, where he dedicated a song to her.
Four years after her diagnosis, Laura had four brain surgeries, 40 fractions of radiotherapy and almost two years of chemo. However, Laura's health sadly deteriorated and less than a year after graduating, Laura died surrounded by her family.
Paying tribute to Laura, her sister Gracie said she was "painfully organised" and "an absolute force to be reckoned with".
Mum Nicola added: "She was a girl with a plan. She had a life plan when she was probably at primary school for what the next 10 years were going to be like. She was very determined, very focused and very ambitious.
"Laura always knew what she wanted."
Nicola said she was always working hard towards her future, and said: "Laura was almost living her life on fast forward when you look back on it now."
Laura, from Barrowford, also received the support and backing of legendary comedian Peter Kay, who took her for lunch and held his first gigs in years to raise funds for her treatment. She was an ambassador for the Brain Tumour Charity and worked with OurBrainBank.
Laura was also a huge Everton FC fan, with Séamus Coleman who played number 23 being her favourite player. Nicola said: "Ironically she died in '23, aged 23."
Nicola was born in Liverpool and her parents were both from the city, she said: "Laura was always very proud to say she was half Scouse. Half Lancashire and half Scouse."
Everton fans are planning to share Laura's picture on the main screen at the Everton v Bournemouth match on Sunday, May 28. They are also planning to clap and cheer at the 23rd minute.
Nicola added: "It would be so lovely if they do a clap in the 23rd minute, it's such a lovely idea. It's a shame we aren't going to be there to see it, but it is a lovely idea."
A GoFundMe was set up for Laura and any donations in her memory can be donated here.
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