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Thousands raised for children of cancer death couple | Thousands raised for children of cancer death couple |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A six-figure sum has been raised for the children of a couple who died of cancer within days of each other. | |
The three children released an image of their terminally ill parents' last moments together as they held hands in a Merseyside hospice. | The three children released an image of their terminally ill parents' last moments together as they held hands in a Merseyside hospice. |
The image of Mike Bennet, 57, and wife Julie, 50, from Wirral, was shared by Oliver, 13, Hannah, 18, and Luke, 21. | |
By 10:00 GMT on Monday, just over £120,000 had been raised for the three siblings. | |
Family friend Heather Heaton Gallagher said the amount of money raised had "blown everyone's socks away". | |
'Chemo isn't working' | 'Chemo isn't working' |
She said: "The kids are astounded, they couldn't believe it. | She said: "The kids are astounded, they couldn't believe it. |
"They are seeing all this support coming from across the world and it's inspirational to them." | "They are seeing all this support coming from across the world and it's inspirational to them." |
Ms Gallagher said the money would be used to support the children through college and university. | Ms Gallagher said the money would be used to support the children through college and university. |
She said their parents had been "besotted" with each other. | She said their parents had been "besotted" with each other. |
She added they "were just so in love" and "always made time for everyone". | She added they "were just so in love" and "always made time for everyone". |
"About three weeks ago I met Julie and she said 'that's it, the chemo isn't working' and that was very hard to hear." | "About three weeks ago I met Julie and she said 'that's it, the chemo isn't working' and that was very hard to hear." |
The pair were admitted to Arrowe Park Hospital two weeks ago, where Mr Bennet died on 6 February. | The pair were admitted to Arrowe Park Hospital two weeks ago, where Mr Bennet died on 6 February. |
Mrs Bennet, a primary school teacher at Sommerville School, died on Saturday at St John's Hospice. | Mrs Bennet, a primary school teacher at 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 Mrs 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 Mrs Bennet and the children until his wife became too ill to care for him. |
Mr Bennet died on 6 February, while his wife died on Sunday. | Mr Bennet died on 6 February, while his wife died on Sunday. |