A TEACHER is taking on a bucket list of adventures in memory of her boyfriend who 'lived each day to the full.'

Sarah Boardman has already begun her 100 outdoor challenges in memory of Rob Matthews, known as Babis King, who died suddenly from a heart attack secondary to Type 1 diabetes aged just 33.

Sarah, a teacher at the Fortune Centre of Riding Therapy in Bransgore, said she shared some of the best times of her life with Rob when the pair went on impromptu camping adventures - and has vowed to ensure his memory lives on and to raise awareness of diabetes.

The 32-year-old, who has won an Inspire Award in recognition of her fundraising efforts for Diabetes UK, said: “I was lucky enough to share some of the best times of my life with Rob, many of them impromptu camping adventures so it seems fitting to take on a series of outdoor challenges to highlight the dangers of diabetes and raise money to combat it.

“Hopefully, by raising money in his memory, something good can come from a terrible event. If by doing these challenges, I can play a small part in preventing the challenges I can play a small part in preventing the tragedy that befell Rob from happening to someone else, then that will be a far greater achievement than actually completing them.”

Rob was diagnosed with diabetes aged 11 but ‘never let it stop him.’

Sarah said the moment she discovered she would never see her partner of six years again will forever haunt her.

“I was in the middle of cooking us a curry ready for him to come home when the police knocked on my door. My entire world fell apart.

“The irony was Rob was on his way back from the gym. He really looked after himself.

“You are overcome with grief.

“Rob was just the best boyfriend you could ask for. He made me a better person and more confident. He was such a popular person, hardworking, generous. Everyone who knew him loved him.

“It seems so unfair. You have your whole life planned together and you can’t see a way forward alone. But then you do.”

Since Rob’s death in 2012, Sarah focused on completing challenges. So far she has walked the Dorset border, trekked Hadrian’s Wall and has even hiked around the Isle of Wight.

“There were days I couldn’t move from the chair. Having a goal makes you get out of bed in the morning,” she explained.

“Making sure people remember Rob is really cleansing for me. When I can’t go on in the physical sense and you do, that gives you hope. It was like when Rob died and I didn’t know if I could carry on, but I did.

“A massive reason I survived was getting a dog. I have two cocker spaniels Archie and now puppy Brian and they have saved me. They have given me a purpose in life again.”

Sarah, from Southbourne, added: “Rob was a believer you can do anything with the right mind set so I will keep on pushing forward.”

Sarah is now organising a golf day for Diabetes UK. The Babis King Cup Charity Golf Tournament will take place on September 2 at Playgolf Bournemouth. There will also be a Junior Cup. Tickets cost £40 and will include tournament entry, range balls, dinner and after party with prize draw, DJ and dancing. Tickets for the party alone are £20. For further information, call 01202 436436 or email ben.chant@playgolfworld.com

To sponsor Sarah Boardman as she continues with her Babis King Challenges, go to https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/sarah-boardman1.