Kent cricketers turn out for mum who died of cancer

Sam Walker died within months of being diagnosed with liver cancer

A team of former Kent county cricketers will turn out for an event on Sunday in memory of a young mother who died of cancer.

Samantha Walker, from New Ash Green, was 37 when she died in May after being diagnosed with the liver cancer cholangiocarcinoma.

She left behind three children, the youngest just 18 months old.

On Sunday, Dartford Cricket Club will host a charity match against a team of Kent legends, including David Fulton, Ed Stanford and Min Patel.

"None of the last three months has seemed real," said her husband David, who is a member the Dartford club.

"I still expect her to walk in through the back door and give me a hug."

He said his wife started to feel unwell in August 2023, and tests eventually diagnosed the cancer in November, which was confirmed weeks later.

"That evening we were given that news we hardly said a word to each other," said Mr Walker.

"We just drove for three or four hours around Kent that evening, just trying to take it all in."

David Walker said losing his wife Sam so quickly did not "seem real"

Mr Walker said as well as fundraising, the charity match will also raise awareness of cholangiocarcinoma.

He said the event will be a success if it can "stop one single family going through what we have been through".

"The speed in which Sam went went downhill was horrifying," he said.