Grieving family’s tributes to mum who ‘was loved by everyone she met’
THOUSANDS RAISED IN MEMORY OF KELLY, 38
A HEARTBROKEN family have paid tribute to a “remarkable” mum following her sudden death.
Kelly Betts, 38, of Mansfield, passed away on Monday April 12. She had three children – Lucas, 11, Harvey, 10 and Evelyn, eight.
Aaron Burbage, dad to Evelyn and Kelly’s partner until two years ago, said the pair remained close and had plans together as a family.
The night before she died, Kelly, who cleaned lodges at Center Parcs, had been feeling ill with heartburn, which she suffered “once in a blue moon”.
Aaron said the next day, Kelly was still unwell so he rang 999 who guided him to perform CPR while paramedics and an air ambulance were sent out. She died at home.
He said: “In less than 60 minutes we lost someone who did not have any known health condition.”
Now, thousands of pounds have been raised by the community to support Kelly’s children through this difficult time.
Aaron, 34, said: “We were really good friends who knew everything about each other. Kelly was a beautiful person inside and out.
“She was loved by everyone who came into contact with her and brought a smile to everyone she saw.
“Her children are her greatest achievement and she would have gone to any lengths to make sure they got what they needed.
“She was a fair parent too and made sure they were not spoilt.
“She was an angel taken too soon and so many people have been devastated by her passing. Truly, a remarkable woman who was known for her love, wit, and smiles.”
Kelly’s sister Louise Betts, 35,
loud, and the life and soul of the party”.
She said: “She had her own lingo and way with words that always raised a giggle. She lived for her three babies, niece and nephews, mum Jane and dad Miles and twin sisters Louise and Jennifer.
“She was so excited for the restrictions easing so we could all meet up for Costa dates and start enjoying life together again properly.
“Kelly loved Harry Potter. She was gifted tickets from Aaron to go to Harry Potter World in London this year but now won’t get to experience it.
“We have always been such a close family, this has devastated us beyond words and has left a massive hole in our hearts.
“We will miss Kelly so very much. She will never be forgotten as she will live on in all her children, family and friends.”
Kelly’s friend Jodie Roberts, 34, told the Post that Kelly was a “young and healthy mum”.
She said: “Our children played together for A S Plant Football Club. When you see someone three or four times a week for five years, they become like family.
“Kelly lived and breathed football, she was a huge Spurs fan. She was a bubbly, confident person who could chat with anyone.
“She called her children her ‘trio’ and she always made time for them. She was their absolute rock, they worshipped her. As a fellow mum, when something like this happens it’s absolutely heartbreaking because she isn’t going to be there anymore.
“She was very family orientated and very honest, what you see was what you got with her.”
Jodie set up the fundraiser which has raised over £6,000 so far.
She said: “I set the target at £300 and we passed it within hours. It is such a heartfelt token for the family. It will be something positive for the children out of something so heartbreaking.
“All the teams we play against are doing their own fundraisers too. We’ve had a signed football from Derby County to raffle off.
“It’s absolutely amazing and it’s one less thing for the family to think about.”
You can find the gofundme page at https://uk.gofundme.com/f/ kelly-betts-kiddies