Fundraiser set up for heartbroken family of mum from Sheffield who died only 19 days after cancer diagnosis

Deborah Reynolds - who went by Debs - had been struggling with illness for some time, heading in and out of hospital for a variety of tests.

Sign up for newsletters from The Star

Then in early May, doctors delivered the news no one wants to hear - she had cancer.

Tragically, the discovery came too late, as only 19 days later on May 21 she passed away.

She had celebrated her 50th birthday just two months prior.

Now, the family from Sheffield are not only having to cope with the unexpected and sudden grief, but the financial burden as they attempt to fund a worthy funeral for the much-loved mum.

A fundraiser has begun that has already raised more than £5,000 - well above the original £500 goal.

Debs’ sister-in-law Georgina Pilley - who started the fundraiser - told The Star: “She’s been really poorly since about January and visiting hospital to get different tests.

“Then they found this anomaly in her blood and told her that she had cancer - it was a case of going home and waiting, the oncologist would be in touch about treatment.

“Within 19 days she had passed away - it all happened very quickly.”

Get The Star for less than a fiver with our new value subscription package

Debs’ husband, Daniel, is self-employed and on top of the funeral costs is facing the prospect of having to look after their 13-year-old son Oscar on his own.

But the support they have received from the public, who keep donating to their cause, has helped remind them of how much Debs was loved.

To push the fundraiser further, Georgina - who is a professional body piercer - and her colleague, tattoo artist Jessica Paige, will be raising additional funds at work on Saturday, June 7.

All proceeds from jobs they do on the day between 11am and 7pm at their studio - The Next Chapter Tattoo Collective on Bawtry Road in Bramley - will go directly towards the fundraiser, with Georgina asking that anyone wishing to get a tattoo or piercing do so on that day to support the cause.

“I think it’s just a reflection of how she was clearly loved be lots of people and had a lasting effect,” she added.

“Some people who only met her once have donated, which shows the kind of person she was.”

“People have also really related to it because cancer affects so many - we’ve had lots of messaged from people who’ve lost someone to cancer and want to help.”

Anyone wanting to donate can find the fundraiser here.

Places are still available for the charity piercing and tattoo day.

Those wishing to book a tattoo can reach Jessica here, or alternatively contact Georgina for a piercing here.

Have you got a story you want to share with our readers? You can now send it to us online via YourWorld at https://www.yourworld.net/submit/ It's free to use and, once checked, your story will appear on our website and, space allowing, in our newspapers.