CHARITY STARTS AT HOME FOR STELLA’S GRIEVING FAMILY
Widower and children raise cash for the most vulnerable
A FAMILY have paid tribute to a ‘kind-hearted’ mum after her sudden death last month – by raising money for vulnerable people in her memory.
Stella Roberts died aged 59 at home in Tunstall after a heart attack on January 30. Husband Richard was by her side.
The former shop worker leaves behind son Daniel, daughter Demi and grandsons aged two and five.
Stella – the youngest of four sisters and three brothers – regularly helped the homeless.
Now, rather than asking for flowers, her family have set up a fundraising page and are asking for donations for local charities, including the Salvation Army.
Son Daniel, aged 34, from Sandbach, said: “Losing mum has had a massive impact on the family.
“She was always the focal point of the family. And family meant everything to her.
“She was such a kind-hearted person and would give you her last pound. She was really sociable and outgoing and would do anything for her family.
“She had a wicked sense of humour and she was so loving. Nothing was too much trouble for her. I will miss the love she had for me and her grandkids, it was so pure. She gave them gifts after gifts on a regular basis and was always putting other people first.”
The teacher added: “When my mum and dad went down into Tunstall she was always handing out £10 notes to homeless people. It was a regular thing for her to do.
“It’s something that was close to her heart. She has always looked after people all her life.
“It was an unexpected death but she has always talked about helping others so we want to do that.
“One of her wishes was not to have people spend money on flowers but to donate money to homeless charities.
“Doing what she wanted is helping us all and giving us a focus. We are really proud we can do what she wants us to do.”
Stella arrived at her funeral in a horse and carriage at Bradwell Crematorium on February 18.
The Roberts family have so far raised £1,400 which has been used to support The Salvation Army in Tunstall and Young Disciples in Chell Heath.
Items donated include cereal, tinned food and toiletries.
Daniel said: “We are looking for any other local charities similar to homeless or vulnerable charities to get in touch.
“My dad had 10 bags of shopping which he could drop off and it fills him with pride to be able to do what my mum wanted him to do.
“We are happy to continue to support those charities and every single year we are going to do regular fundraising.
“I usually run marathons so when they are back on the scene I am going to run for a charity to raise more funds.
“My dad works at Steelite in Middleport and they gave a £200 contribution.
“The support has been brilliant. “To have as much money as we have had – we never would have thought that.”