Heart-warming response to Melton mum’s sudden death aged just 26
Amanda Harding was at home with three-year-old son, Charlie, when she tragically died after spending the last few years having regular hospital treatment for a serious bowel condition.
The single mum’s death has come as a huge shock to her friends and loved ones, who have rallied to help pay for the funeral she wanted with a purple coffin and white horses.
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Her father, Scott, who lives at Ab Kettleby, told the Melton Times: “Amanda had struggled a lot and there were some big concerns for her mental wellbeing at one time but having Charlie changed her life.
“She got a new lease of life with him and he really was her world.
“We went to her house the other day and found cupboards full of Christmas presents for Charlie and it breaks my heart that she will not get to see him open them.”
Amanda was born with bowel problems and had surgery when she was only four days old.
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Her health issues continued and in the last five years she had been in and out of hospital, suffering also from epilepsy and regular seizures.
Scott has requested that an inquest be heard because he believes that a delay over surgery led to her premature death, on December 12.
Family members are now looking after Charlie as they all come to terms with losing her.
“Charlie doesn’t really understand what’s happened,” said Scott.
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“It’s been explained to him that mummy has gone away to become a bright star in the sky.
“A friend of ours has bought a star for him and we are going to name it Amanda.”
Helena Issac and partner Chris Moore, together with another friend, Sophie Jones, and Amanda’s stepmum Dawn, launched an online fundraising page and within a week more than £2,700 was raised.
One person anonymously donated £500 and Scott said he was ‘overwhelmed’ by the warm-hearted response of people.
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He added: “Amanda never really let her health problems get her down and I would describe her as a fighter.
“She had quite a happy-go-lucky personality, she was extremely intelligent and we will really miss her.”
A funeral service has provisionally been arranged for January 15, at West Bridgford Crematorium.
Go online at www.gofundme.com/f/fundraising-for-amanda-and-charlie if you would like donate money towards Amanda’s funeral.