Community pays tribute after Kendal woman dies following transplant abroad
A Kendal woman who drew national attention when she raised more than £200,000 to fund medical treatment overseas has died at the age of 32 after undergoing a liver transplant in Turkey.
Florence Moffat-Charles, who had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of bile duct cancer in 2025, travelled abroad for a transplant after being declined entry to two UK clinical trials that might have led to a transplant because her disease was judged too advanced.
Her husband, Josh Moffat-Charles, announced her death on social media, describing the family’s grief and praising Florence’s courage during a long and public fight for treatment. Tributes from friends, former classmates and members of the local community poured in online following the news.
“We are all devastated and heartbroken by the loss of such an incredible person. She was defiant, fearless and did everything she possibly could to live, but it just wasn’t to be.
We are so grateful for the outpouring of messages of love and support to those close to Florence. We all want Florence to be remembered for the shining light that she was - a beacon of hope that couldn’t be extinguished. We love you Flo - you are no longer in pain or suffering and we will think about you everyday.”
Those close to Florence said she had been diagnosed with Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC) in the years before the cancer diagnosis. PSC is a rare condition that causes inflammation and scarring of the bile ducts and can gradually damage the liver.
The family opted to seek treatment abroad after being turned down for two UK clinical trials because of how advanced her cancer was. A GoFundMe set up to cover costs for treatment overseas overtook its target within four weeks, reflecting strong support from the community in Kendal and beyond.
- Age: 32
- Condition: Aggressive bile duct cancer; underlying PSC
- Funds raised: More than £200,000 via crowdfunding
- Treatment location: Turkey (liver transplant)
Friends and acquaintances took to social media to pay tribute, recalling Florence’s warmth, bravery and the effect she had on others' lives. One friend spoke of the mark she left after their time together at university; others described her as an inspiration who lived life to the full.
The timeline posted by the family shows the couple had documented much of Florence’s treatment journey publicly: earlier updates recorded a kidney transplant at the start of August and, more recently, posts mentioned a post-operative infection that led to further complications. The family confirmed Florence died in the early hours of Tuesday, 8 September, while she was in Turkey.
Local reaction underlined how the campaign had united parts of the town and beyond. The scale and speed of the fundraising highlighted both the community’s willingness to support a neighbour in need and the difficult choices faced by patients with advanced disease when options within the NHS are limited by strict trial and transplant criteria.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Diagnosis | Aggressive bile duct cancer; underlying PSC |
| Fundraising total | Over £200,000 |
| Treatment | Liver transplant in Turkey |
| Date of death | Early hours of 8 September |
For many in Kendal the story will raise renewed questions about access to trials and transplants in the UK and the lengths to which families will go when faced with limited options. The family has asked for privacy as they come to terms with their loss.
Florence’s funeral arrangements and any memorials are yet to be announced publicly. In the meantime, messages of sympathy and recollections of a life described by friends as a “shining light” continue to appear on social platforms, reflecting the deep impression she made on those who knew her.
