Alison's Funeral

It's never easy to ask for help, but some things will make you reach out. Losing your beloved wife and best friend - and wanting to give her the funeral she deserves - is one of them.

Alison was just 46 years old. A mother of two sons, a step-mother of two daughters, an auntie and a granny, she was at the heart of her family, and loved by many - not least, her husband Darrell.

Alison had a number of life-alterating conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis. Over the years, her condition had worsened, weakening her body and forcing her to rely on medication that had finally begun to lose its effect.

Recently, Alison underwent a heavy dose of treatment not dissimilar to chemotherapy in the hope of improving her quality of life. Sadly, this impacted on her immune system, leaving her open to illness and infection. 

Since just before Christmas, Alison had been admitted to hospital on three separate occasions. This latest spell in hospital was supposed to be a positive thing - everyone hoped she was getting better, and that the treatment had been a success.

Devastatingly, this turned out not to be the case.

Alison was admitted to the high dependency unit on the 6th of April, where her health continued to deteriorate and her lungs began to fail. Just this morning, Alison decided for herself to stop fighting - she finally let herself rest, with her family around her, and allowed the ventilators kept her going.

After such a long, hard struggle, the decision was made to remove the machines and to let Alison pass peacefully. Her family were told she would most likely pass away within a few hours - in reality, it was minutes. With her devoted husband at her side, and her children and family around her, Alison let go and passed away.

Alison's family are heartbroken. Her husband Darrell has lost the woman he describes as his "wife, lover and best friend" and, instead of being able to grieve for his "wonderful Ali", is now full of worry about finding the money to give Alison the send-off she deserves.

Darrell doesn't want a big party, or a fancy wake - he just wants the chance to gather everyone who loved Alison together so they can say goodbye. 

This GoFundMe is to pay for Alison's cremation and ceremony, and a little get-together afterwards so Alison's family and friends can gather and share their memories of her.

Any money left over will be used for essentials as Darrell grieves, affording him the time he needs to try and come to terms with losing the love of his life.

I've set up this campaign on behalf of Darrell's daughter, Dawn, who is currently at the hospital with the rest of the family. Please help us - if you can - take some of the burden off Darrell, Dawn and the rest of Alison's loved ones.

Let's give them some peace, and let's give Alison the goodbye she deserves.

Thank you
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