TODAY would have been Francesca Mancini’s twenty-second birthday.

The inspirational fundraiser, Beatson charity ambassador and much-loved daughter, sister and friend died last September after battling cancer.

Her friends and family have come up with a touching way of remembering the young student’s incredible legacy – and it has gone viral, although perhaps not in the way you might expect.

“The people who loved Francesca are remembering her by writing her name in the sand, on beaches all over the world,” smiles her mum, May.

“We are so touched by this and have printed them all off, to keep them on the walls of her room.

“It has been so good to see them. It means a lot.”

So far, dozens of people have posted the pictures on Facebook and emailed them to May and her husband Osvaldo, and Francesca’s little sister Chiara.

From Croatia to Crail, St Andrew’s to Santa Monica and as far afield as Australia and Dubai, friends of the Mancinis are making sure Francesca’s name will never be forgotten.

There have been pictures from Nice, Spain, Turkey and closer to home in Ayr, from a proud Chiara.

Tricia Morrison posted her photo from Croatia.

“Francesca was my son’s girlfriend in high school for around a year or so and I thought so much of her - she was a beautiful girl inside and out,” she explains.

“We kept in touch via social media and had coffee now and again. When Francesca said she had cancer and was fund raising for Off The Beatson Track I decided to take part with my sister and friend and we joined Team Lymphoma Warriors.

“I now work in the Beatson Cafe with Oz, having started as a volunteer.

“May and Oz are doing such an incredible job fundraising and keeping Francesca in all our hearts and minds.”

Diane Gillespie posted her photo from Dubai.

“My youngest daughter always called her Franchesica, which is why we spelled it that way,” smiles Diane. “I know it would have made Francesca smile to see it written that way.”

The Mancinis’ next door neighbour Kim Macleod sent a photo from North Berwick.

“We first met Francesca when she was two years old and watched her grow in to a beautiful young woman,” says Kim.

“Sadly our son Calum died from meningitis 10 years ago at the age of 12 and so I know only too well the sadness and grief that come with losing your child. I am so proud of how May, Oz and Chiara are coping.

“Keeping Francesca’s memory alive is important – she made an impact in the world and continues to do so.”

Loren Dempsey, whose sister Victoria worked with May, sent several photos from Australia, while Victoria posted one from North Berwick.

“May and I have been friends for such a long time,” smiles Victoria. “Francesca and I would talk all the time on WhatsApp or Facebook, about rubbish TV, or her outfits - I like to think I was like her young auntie or big sister! She was such a beautiful soul, and wise beyond her years. I miss our chats.”

Francesca’s friends from university – Scott Bland, Susan Kenyon and Sam Ebdon – sent a photo from Orkney.

“We were all close friends and we miss her greatly all the time,” says Scott.

And family friend Karina Leahy took a photo in Nice and sent it to May with the simple message: “Always remembered, forever missed, taken far,far too soon.”

Francesca, who was a biomedical science student, had made a full recovery after receiving treatment for stage four Non Hodgkins Lymphoma in 2015, but in 2016 the cancer spread to her lungs and liver and she lost her fight for life just a few weeks before her birthday last year.

In her memory, May rallied the biggest team ever to take part in the Off the Beatson Track event in August, raising a whopping £35,000.

An impressive 135 people took part, but May is aiming for even more next year.

“We’re going to get 400, we hope,” she smiles.

Graham Soutar, Beatson Cancer Charity chief executive, said: “Francesca was a remarkable young woman who encapsulated the spirit of Team Beatson.

“She was hugely motivated and through her determination to help us, the Lymphoma Warriors have raised this fantastic sum of money which will make a real difference to the patients and families we support.”

For May, Oz and Chiara, this is a particularly difficult time of the year.

“It has been hard for us, especially today on her birthday and in the run up to Christmas,” says May.

“I miss her so much, but I will do all in my power to keep my girl’s name alive.”