Fundraisers save terminally ill mum's house for her children

Crowdfunding page exceeds target by ten per cent and continues to rise

We are happy to report the good news that crowdfunders have raised enough money to pay off the mortgage of a terminally ill mother of five.

Sue Stephenson, 47, raised her children in a four-bedroom house in the village of Ripponden, Halifax, which had a £65,000 mortgage remaining on it. Her dying wish was that the mortgage was paid off, allowing her children - who are aged between nine and 21 - to remain living there.

Sue's sister, Angie, set up a crowdfunding page via Just Giving and appealed for help in raising the money. The target was hit last week -and has now been exceeded by 10 per cent, raising £75,545 for Sue and her family.

Sue was diagnosed with breast cancer six years ago, and was told in June that the disease had spread to her bones and liver. Now bed-bound, with very limited movement, Sue thanked generous friends and strangers who have donated to the mortgage fund.

'I am overwhelmed by people's kindness,' she said.

When the crowdfunding page was first started, Sue, who worked as a midwife for twenty years, said: “It means so much to me that this money is raised. I just want the children to be together. Thank you for your help and thank everyone for their help and donations.”

Sue is being cared for by sons Cameron, 21, Connor, 19, twins Jemima and Emily, 18, and Wilf, just nine.

Anyone wishing to help the family, can donate at their crowdfunding page https://crowdfunding.justgiving.com/a-collinson