It's been just over a year since the tragic passing of Girls Aloud star Sarah Harding, who sadly lost her battle with breast cancer last September, aged 39.
Now, a year on, Sarah's former bandmate and Morning Live host Kimberley Walsh opens up on why she found her 40th birthday a particularly strenuous battle as she continues to process her grief.
The mum-of-three told OK! , "birthdays are always going to be a tough one for me", adding, "We were birthday twins. We’d talked about doing something for our 40ths when she was still with us and that’s what I was hoping would happen."
Kimberley – who has since developed her new autumn collection, Styled For You, with Dorothy Perkins – also detailed the ways in which her dear friends' heart-breaking passing still affect her everyday life, and which she finds peace watching videos of Sarah's past performances.
"It [grief] can take me at any moment. There can be triggers everywhere. It’s only been a year, so to us it still feels quite raw to be honest.
"I watch videos of her on stage. There was nobody more alive than her when she was in her element."
"The best thing for me is having the other three girls that I know feel the same," Kimberley explained. "We’re just helping each other through it.
"Sarah had a wish to fund research that her doctor was working on, so we said we’d do everything in our power to make that happen. We’re throwing a fundraising event which is going to be an emotional night. That’s taking all our focus."
Earlier this year, hundreds of fans joined Kimberley's bandmates Nadine Coyle, Nicola Roberts and Cheryl Cole to take part in the Race For Life, a charity run in memory of their late friend.
The trio battled the 5km race in London's Hyde Park on Sunday 24 July in celebration of Sarah's memory and to raise money for breast cancer, bright pink T-shirts baring the words “Race for Life” as they ran together.
Kimberley, who was away at the time took part in the race remotely and documented the run on Instagram, chatting away to her gal pals as she ran.
"I had to do the race while I was away because I had already planned a trip before we knew we were doing it," she told OK!. "Nadine, Nicola and Cheryl all did it together in London and I FaceTimed them on the run.
"They said it was the most amazing atmosphere in Hyde Park. I felt gutted to miss it."
Kimberley also disclosed that Sarah's death has made her and her family more aware of their health status, explaining that her grief has caused her to appreciate how sacred life is.
"It makes you more worried but it’s never a bad thing if someone encourages you to keep on top of that," she said. "I’ve had lots of women message me on Instagram saying Sarah helped them catch [their cancer] early, which I know would have meant a lot to her.
"She has definitely saved lives."
Kimberley’s Styled For You range is available now at dorothyperkins.com
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