This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-38950167
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Children share photo of terminally ill parents holding hands | Children share photo of terminally ill parents holding hands |
(about 20 hours later) | |
The children of a terminally ill couple who died of cancer within days of each other have shared a photograph of their parents' last moments together. | The children of a terminally ill couple who died of cancer within days of each other have shared a photograph of their parents' last moments together. |
The image shows Mike Bennet, 57, and wife Julie, 50, from Irby in Wirral, holding hands in a Merseyside hospice. | The image shows Mike Bennet, 57, and wife Julie, 50, from Irby in Wirral, holding hands in a Merseyside hospice. |
It was taken shortly before Mr Bennet died on Monday from a brain tumour. | It was taken shortly before Mr Bennet died on Monday from a brain tumour. |
Relatives and friends have launched a fundraising campaign to help the couple's three children, Oliver, 13, Hannah, 18 and Luke 21. | Relatives and friends have launched a fundraising campaign to help the couple's three children, Oliver, 13, Hannah, 18 and Luke 21. |
It raised thousands in the first 24 hours. | It raised thousands in the first 24 hours. |
Friend Sue Wright said: "I told her the community would come together to help look after her kids - and she opened her eyes and smiled." | Friend Sue Wright said: "I told her the community would come together to help look after her kids - and she opened her eyes and smiled." |
Ms Bennet, a primary school teacher from Sommerville School, died on Saturday at St John's Hospice. | |
She was diagnosed in May last year with cancer which began in the liver and kidneys and then spread to other organs. | She was diagnosed in May last year with cancer which began in the liver and kidneys and then spread to other organs. |
Her husband, a self-employed cabinet maker, had been fighting a brain tumour since 2013 and had been nursed at home by Ms Bennet and the children until his wife became too ill to care for him. | Her husband, a self-employed cabinet maker, had been fighting a brain tumour since 2013 and had been nursed at home by Ms Bennet and the children until his wife became too ill to care for him. |
Friend Heather Heaton Gallagher said the "down-to-earth" family are "known to all for their generosity" and "love for life." | Friend Heather Heaton Gallagher said the "down-to-earth" family are "known to all for their generosity" and "love for life." |
"Words cannot express our desperate sadness for such a beautiful family," she said. | "Words cannot express our desperate sadness for such a beautiful family," she said. |
"Julie has kept the children in a normal routine whilst dealing with Mike's illness over the past few years. | "Julie has kept the children in a normal routine whilst dealing with Mike's illness over the past few years. |
When Julie became ill, she made it her purpose to create as many memories as a family for the children to hold onto. | When Julie became ill, she made it her purpose to create as many memories as a family for the children to hold onto. |
"We have set up a JustGiving page and overnight that reached an incredible £15,000, but these three kids need to have a future." | "We have set up a JustGiving page and overnight that reached an incredible £15,000, but these three kids need to have a future." |
Previous version
1
Next version