Tributes from singer Robin Gibb and former Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling were read at a memorial service for Nicole Dryburgh, who died in May from a brain haemorrhage.

Nicole, who was 21 and lived in Seasalter, fought cancer three times after being diagnosed with a tumour on her spine when she was 11.

In her short life she wrote two books, received a Diana Award and raised thousands of pounds for various charities. During the course of her treatment she lost the use of her legs and went blind and deaf.

On Tuesday, a thanksgiving service took place in the Quire of Canterbury Cathedral, attended by hundreds of people, many of whom had known Nicole.

In her welcome Vice Dean Canon Clare Edwards said the service gave the many people whose lives had been touched by Nicole in so many ways the opportunity to give thanks.

Nicole’s five rules for life were read by her brother Lee and her mother Jackie spoke about the time when Nicole had to make her first speech after which she read one of her daughter’s poems called Dancing Fairies.

Canterbury singer/guitarist Matthew Lombart sung I’ll Never Find Another You.

He organised a concert to help raise money for the Teenage Cancer Trust, one of Nicole’s causes.

Tessy Ojo, from the Diana Awards, told the congregation: “Nicole was truly amazing. I knew her professionally and personally and met her on a number of occasions. She had a passion for fundraising and her huge courage and hopefulness to make the most of every second inspired us all.”

She recounted her memories of Nicole and the day she launched her fund to raise money for the Teenage Cancer Trust in April 2009 at 11 Downing Street, an event hosted by Maggie Darling, the wife of the then Chancellor Alistair.

“Her speech was so moving she made everyone in the room cry, including Mr Darling and his wife,” Ms Ojo said.

In his message Mr Darling said: “I remember Nicole arriving in Downing Street with her entourage and she was in complete charge. She was inspirational, the like of which I shall never see again.”

In their message former Bee Gee Robin Gibb and his wife Dwina said they would never forget her. Nicole met Mr Gibb at 11 Downing Street when she received her Diana Award.

Nigel Ravell, from the Teenage Cancer Trust, said Nicole was unbelievable. “You didn’t need to know Nicole for more than a few seconds to know what a special person she was,” he said. “She absolutely blew everyone away.”

Mr Ravell said Nicole was aiming to raise £100,000 for the Teenage Cancer Trust and by the time of her death had raised £75,000. The appeal had now reached £100,000.

Musician Newton Faulkner sang a song, followed by the address from Canon Edwards, who said: “We are here to remember a wonderful woman and to give thanks for her life and to celebrate what a great inspiration she was to so many.”

Canon Edwards said what was important was not how long someone might live but how much good they might do with their years.

“People like Nicole are messengers to us, telling us to get up off our seats and do something,” she added. “She is a wonderful reminder that what we do makes a difference.”

On arriving at the service everyone was given a pink feather and later asked to hold it and remember Nicole. They were then collected and taken to the altar while a choir from Barton Court School in Canterbury, which Nicole once attended, sang Rutter’s Requiem.

The service finished with prayers from the Rev Canon Steve Coneys, team rector of Whitstable, who conducted Nicole’s funeral. He paid tribute to her “raw courage and determination” and the difference she made to so many people.

There was a retiring collection for the Teenage Cancer Trust.