Husband's heartbreak as 'generous' PCSO and teenage sweetheart dies aged 41

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More than £11,000 has been raised for Macmillan thanks to a fundraiser set up in memory of a much-loved South Yorkshire police officer.

Steph McIntyre, who worked as a PCSO in Eastwood, Rotherham, died aged 41 on June 7 after suffering from bowel cancer, which spread to her liver.

She was diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer in September last year and, after a battle to beat the illness, sadly died at her home in Mexborough, Doncaster.

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Her husband of 18 years Paul organised a fundraiser for Macmillan shortly before she passed away, and has continued to raise money for the charity after smashing his initial £1,000 target.

Steph McIntyre. Steph died at home in Mexborough on June 7 after a battle with cancer.Steph McIntyre. Steph died at home in Mexborough on June 7 after a battle with cancer.
Steph McIntyre. Steph died at home in Mexborough on June 7 after a battle with cancer.

“The support we have had has just been amazing,” Paul, 47, said. “I just want to say thank you from me and my family to everybody who has donated.

“I am just collecting and organising here. It was all Steph’s idea, and people are donating like they are because she helped so many people and touched so many lives.

“Steph was generous to a fault. She had such a rare quality where she would help anybody, no matter what. She’d give away her last penny.

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“She loved working in communities and helping people. What hurt her most when she was poorly was knowing that she would not be able to do her job with the people in Eastwood any more.

Steph McIntyreSteph McIntyre
Steph McIntyre

“She was glamorous but not vain. She was always presentable and one of the ways she broke down barriers and connected with people was by talking to them about her hair and nails. The kids in Eastwood loved her when she did this.

“We were together since we were 19. She was my best friend. Her personality was infectious. Even when she was poorly, nurses and carers would always be rushing to help her out because they enjoyed spending time with her so much.

“I don’t think it will ever get easier now she’s gone. I just want to tell people about her as much as I can because she was just immense.”

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In 2018, Steph’s work in the communities in Rotherham was recognised and she was awarded the PCSO of the Year award.

Paul and Steph McIntyre. Steph died at home in Mexborough on June 7 after a battle with cancer.Paul and Steph McIntyre. Steph died at home in Mexborough on June 7 after a battle with cancer.
Paul and Steph McIntyre. Steph died at home in Mexborough on June 7 after a battle with cancer.

Last week the District Commander presented and award to her at her home, in honour of her 10 years of service.

As well as the fundraiser online, Paul has been running auctions, with all the money going towards Macmillan.

Boxer Amir Khan has donated some signed gloves and a message to Steph’s family, and community groups that Steph helped, including Clifton Learning Partnership and the Neighbourhood Watch have helped with donations.

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“We have had so many cards and donations,” Paul said. “It is amazing but not surprising. It just shows the kind of person Steph was.

“She cared about people so much and she wanted to do this. This is the best way to remember her and give people a way to talk about her life.”

You can donate to the fundraiser in memory of Steph McIntyre here.

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