A painting of a family’s ‘angel girl’ who died at the tragically early age of 43 has taken centre stage at a presentation to Cancer Research UK.

Talented Pembrokeshire body artist Debbie Best lost her life to cancer on May 29th 2013 and a memorial evening held on her first anniversary raised the grand total of £1,057 for the charity.

The event, at the County Hotel, Haverfordwest, featured the sale of some of the many paintings and pieces of artwork which Debbie had created in recent years.

Debbie worked alongside her dad Billy Best in their Haverfordwest studio, and was the fiancee of St Davids artist Grahame Hurd-Wood.

His painting of the vibrant Debbie was taken along by Billy and wife Kathy when they presented the money to Melfa Smith, the treasurer of the Pembroke and District Committee of Cancer Research UK.

“Grahame painted that picture with his heart, and it’s on our mantlepiece at home,” said Kathy. “This money is not from us, it’s from Debbie, as she particularly said she wanted it to go to Cancer Research.

“Every bit helps to fight this terrible disease that took my Debs.

“She always believed in her angels and we know she’s resting with them now. She was our angel girl.”

The family has already made a donation of £1,000 to Shalom House, St Davids and £500 to the Paul Sartori Foundation, who both cared for Debbie.