Mum's Dying Wish For Daughter Comes True
8th February 2008
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A mother's dying wish for her 10-year-old daughter has come true thanks to the youngster's devoted gran and a city charity teaming up to make it happen. |
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Donna Salinger, 42, of Exeter, was hoping to travel to Cyprus for a family wedding in August with her daughter Freya,
a Pinhoe Primary School pupil, having been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
Sadly, Donna died too soon - but she had confided in her own mother, Pauline Edmonds,
that she wanted her to still find a way to take Freya to Cyprus.
Now, Exeter-based charity Dream-A-Way has paid almost £900 towards travel costs of more than £2,000, which the family have raised, to make sure that Donna's dream comes true.
It has been a heartbreaking time for Pauline, 65, of Arena Park, Exeter, who is registered blind and has only limited vision, but she is overjoyed at her granddaughter's pleasure about the trip.
They will be travelling there with Freya's aunt, Sherree Hatch, at Donna's request.
Pauline said: "Freya is very excited. After her mum passed away, she was asked if she would like to be flower girl and she is going to wear a special dress to match the bride. I'm thrilled that Donna's last wish will happen."
Pauline added: "My eldest grandson is getting married on Cyprus.
"He was very close to Donna and they were like brother and sister. Donna booked the trip last year but she died the next month.
Her cancer had returned and she knew it would be her last holiday.
"She was looking forward to going there with Freya but things happened quickly and unexpectedly.
She asked her sister to take her place."
Pauline, who is now formally Freya's joint guardian with her granddaughter Nichole, mentioned the event to city cancer charity Force, which she says has been a wonderful support.
Force contacted Dream-A-Way, which also helped Donna and Freya before tragedy struck, arranging for them to visit Disneyland Paris.
"Donna was a lovely girl. I couldn't have asked for a better daughter," said Pauline.
"She was a happy-go-lucky person who enjoyed life. She was a single parent and worshipped her daughter.
"She was diagnosed with cancer in September, 2006, and had major surgery and chemotherapy.
"Donna was given the all-clear last May, but she went to hospital with severe stomach pains and passed away on September 29.
I still haven't fully accepted it."
But now Pauline wants to look ahead to making Freya's holiday in August a wonderful experience.
"I can't thank Dream-A-Way enough," she said.
"But this is also a chance to thank the Force charity and also all our family and friends for their support."
Dream-A-Way chairman Jeff Merrett invited Pauline and Freya as special guests to the Exeter Police and Hospital Players' pantomime Little Red Riding Hood at the city's Barnfield Theatre this month.
He said: "Pauline has had more than her fair share of disappointment and heartache.
We were touched by these tragic circumstances and were only too pleased to help her and Freya."
Story courtesy of the Express & Echo