An inspirational young woman who has terminal cancer has been jet-setting to A-list locations and sipping tea at the Ritz since her devastating diagnosis two months ago.
Alex Hopwood, of Hinckley, has travelled to three continents and seen some of the world's most famous sites to create some treasured memories with her beloved friends and family.
Despite her hectic schedule, the 24-year-old childcare worker has still found the time to set up a charity to help others in her position.
Alex said: "As soon as I was told the news that there was no more treatment available to me, I came home and a friend encouraged me to write a list of things I wanted to do.
"All the trips and days out that I was hoping to do once I'd got better, I decided to do them now.
"I've flown over the Grand Canyon in a helicopter, and watched the Northern Lights in Iceland.
"I've had tea at the Ritz and taken my little niece to Disney Land - it's all been incredible.
"I'm lucky enough to have some amazing friends and family, so I just want to spend as much time with them as possible."
Alex was first diagnosed with leukaemia in September last year, (13). But after a bone marrow transplant from her brother, Dane, she was told she was in remission just four months later.
"When I was told the cancer was gone it was such a relief," she said.
"My brother had been amazing to donate his bone marrow and I was so excited to get back on with my life.
"I was going for routine scans and everything was positive until about May, when the scans had come back.
"It was such a shock but I just threw myself back into chemo again - I had every treatment possible and my brother donated his bone marrow again.
"Once again we thought everything was going well. I was hoping for the best.
"But in the middle of October this year the doctors explained that it hadn't worked, and there was nothing more they could do.
"I had sort of prepared myself for bad news, but it was just devastating - I hated that I was going to have to tell all the people I loved the bad news. I didn't want to upset them."
After returning home from hospital, a friend suggested Alex write a list of things she wanted to do.
Alex said: "It included big things like Vegas, Dubai and Iceland, but also smaller things like staying in the Cotswolds with my friends, and going on days out with my family."
More than 30 of her friends and her mum, Jacky, joined her in Vegas, which included a helicopter trip over the Grand Canyon, a Britney Spears concert and a limousine trip.
"I didn't want this cancer to stop me from doing anything," said Alex.
"I do feel more poorly now since I first went away, but I just want to keep going for as long as possible."
She added: "I set up a charity throughout my ongoing battle as it gave me a lift helping others.
"I was inspired to create something positive out of something so negative."
Alex's charity, A Gift to Lift, creates memorable experiences for blood cancer patients, with the aim of raising enough funds to have a holiday lodge for patients and their families.
Alex said: "Whatever happens now, I know I've experienced some of the most incredible things, and I'll always be grateful for that.
"It's my friends and family, especially my mum, that have kept me going and supported me.
"Life is for living - I'm determined to keep smiling, and appreciate every single day."
To donate to Alex's charity, visit: www.facebook.com/AGiftToLift
