NURSERY staff are raising money for charity in memory of their “kind and selfless” colleague who died from breast cancer a week after getting married.

Staff at Rainbow Day Nursery in Bromley will take part in the Race For Life run in Blackheath in July to raise money for cancer charities, in honour of Paula Martingell Letchford.

Married mother-of-one Mrs Martingell Letchford, who was the nursery manager, died aged just 46 last month after a two-year battle with breast cancer.

Nursery owner Brid Stenson says Mrs Martingell Letchford, who lived in Killewarren Way, Orpington, fought bravely throughout her illness.

Mrs Stenson, aged 45, said: “Paula got married to her long term partner Tommy the week before she died, and she made the most of the day despite being in a lot of pain.

“She never took a sick day, and didn’t let her illness stop her giving everything to the children.”

Mrs Martingell Letchford started working as a nursery nurse aged 16 and joined Rainbow in 2003, and Mrs Stenson says she was very popular with the children and parents.

Mrs Stenson said: “She was so kind and selfless, everyone loved her. People have come from all over the country to sign our book of condolences.”

She added: “Paula devoted her life to caring for other people’s children, and it’s such a shame she only had four years with her own child.”

Mrs Martingell Letchford and her colleagues began fundraising for cancer charities after she was diagnosed in March 2009, and have raised around £5,000 so far.

To donate to charity in memory of Mrs Martingell Letchford, go to rainbowdaynurserybromley.co.uk