Hand in hand, the loving couple killed by cancer within a week of each other
HOLDING hands, Mike and Julie Bennet give a final show of devotion as their lives ebb away.
Within six days of this heartbreaking photograph, both would be dead.
In their final weeks, the couple had one desire – to ensure their three children would be able to stay in the family home and continue their education.
Luke, 21, Hannah, 18, and Oliver, 13, released the photograph on Friday, four days after their father, 57, lost his battle with cancer. On Saturday night, their mother, 50, also succumbed to the disease.
By last night, well-wishers had raised £90,000 to help the orphaned youngsters.
Mr Bennet, a cabinet maker, was diagnosed with a brain tumour four years ago and was nursed throughout his illness at the family home, in Irby, Wirral.
Last May the family received a second shattering blow when Mrs Bennet, a primary school teacher, was diagnosed with liver and kidney cancer. Despite chemotherapy, the disease spread and doctors told her she was terminally ill.
A fortnight ago, Mr and Mrs Bennet were
‘Enormous support and generosity’
admitted to Arrowe Park Hospital, Wirral, and put in adjacent beds so they could be together in their final days.
The photograph was taken the day before Mr Bennet died last Monday, his family at his bedside.
Mrs Bennet was then moved to St John’s Hospice, Bebington, where she died shortly before midnight on Saturday. Shortly before her death, Luke said: ‘The past three years have been really difficult, for both our parents and ourselves, to deal with.
‘The next few months are going to be difficult for us too, learning to live without them. But if we can use the same bravery they both showed fighting their illnesses and, especially that of my mum, caring for us all throughout, I know we can band together and get through this.
‘My brother, sister and I are overwhelmed by the enormous support and generosity we have received from so many friends and wellwishers, and it gives my mum a great deal of comfort to hear that we are being so well looked after by the community.’
Last night Hannah updated her Facebook page with a picture of the family before her parents were ill.
Close friend Heather Heaton Gallagher, 36, said Mrs Bennet had made it her mission to ensure her children were cared for and supported. Luke and Hannah are studying performing arts, while Oliver is at school.
Mrs Heaton Gallagher, a civil servant, said: ‘Julie was such an incredible woman.
‘When faced with a devastating diagnosis, she never gave up and was always focused on taking care of other people. When she became ill, she made it her purpose to create as many memories as a family for the children to hold on to.
‘She said “My children don’t deserve this” and that was Julie, no matter how upset she was personally, her focus was on her kids.’