BIKERS from across Essex and London joined together to ride more than 100 miles in memory of a woman who died of cancer at only 29.

Keen biker Sheree Paffey lost her battle with a rare form of the disease in September last year.

Before she was ill, the bubbly young woman could often be seen riding her small Honda motorcycle at biker events.

As a result, her bike-mad brother Kevin, 36, decided it would be fitting to organise a ride in her honour.

Last year’s ride was a big success, and this year’s proved no different, with more than a 65 bikers gathering at the home Sheree shared with her family – mum, Gail, 52, dad, Steve, 55, and two brothers, James, 28, and Kevin. On Sunday morning, the bikers filled Stratford Gardens, Stanford-le-Hope, before setting off for the 124-mile round-trip from Stanford-le-Hope to Burnham and Finchingfield, then home.

Mum Gail, who used to ride bikes 20 years ago, rode pillion with Kevin, who lives in Benfleet, for the trip.

She said: “The day was fantastic. But I can’t believe it’s a year since we lost her. It seems like only a couple of days. It doesn’t get any easier.”

Mrs Paffey recalled Sheree’s spirit and how determined she was to fight her disease after becoming ill in 2006.

Doctors diagnosed her with cancer of the lymph nodes, which are fundamental to the working of the immune system. They operated to remove Sheree’s lymph nodes but the tumour had already spread to her kidneys, bowel and spine.

The brave woman battled on, and even kept up her high-powered job at London investment bank JP Morgan, until just five months before she died.

Mrs Paffey said: “Sheree wouldn’t give up. Even a few months before the end she was still running 5km a day and taking part in the runs for cancer charities. She was a fighter her whole life.”

She passed away at home on September 15, 2009, with her family around her.