Heartbreak as mum-of-six dies aged 49 after cancer battle

Gerard Wheatley, a service manager from Peterlee, had set up an online fundraiser in the hopes of raising money to allow his sister, Michelle Cook to fulfil her bucket list after it was revealed that she had incurable lung cancer.

Michelle, aged 49 from Peterlee, battled breast cancer in 2015 but she was sadly diagnosed with incurable lung cancer in February this year and is undergoing treatment at St Benedict’s Hospice in Ryhope, Sunderland.

Sadly, Gerard has confirmed via the fundraiser that Michelle lost her battle with the illness and passed away on Sunday, May 23.

The 46-year-old said: “My most beautiful sister Michelle gained her angel wings yesterday, the most inspirational and beautiful women to have walked this earth.

“She had a smile right till the end and we all love you now and forever. You have touched the hearts of so many people and you will be remembered forever.

"Goodnight sis R.I.P, go fly with the angels. A massive thank you to everybody who has donated and shared kind words, means the world.

"On behalf of myself, Michelle, John and all the family, we appreciate all your generosity and kindness, you’re all amazing people.”

Gerard had managed to raise over £3,000 for Michelle to go away with her children, Aisha, 29, Megan, 26, Poppy, 25, Ben, 24, Daniel, 22 and Carter, 20 and partner John Turnbull.

Tragically, Michelle had only recently became a grandmother again and posed for pictures with her newest granddaugther, Destiny, shortly before she passed away.

Michelle’s death came just ten days after doctors delivered the devastating news that the mum-of-six didn’t have a lot of time left, putting an end to Gerard’s plans of fundraising to send the family on a trip of a lifetime.

Speaking earlier this month, he commented: “I just wanted to give Michelle and the family an opportunity to do something that they wouldn’t possibly have been able to do, with her bucket list trip being Bali or The Maldives.

"I wanted to allow them to create as many memories as possible with whatever time she had left.”

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