Dawn Wilson, 35, from Hengoed, South Wales, with her daughters Imogen and Madeleine
Terminally ill parents are desperately raising money for their children after being told they may not live to see them grow up.
Dawn Wilson, 35, from Hengoed, South Wales, suffers from an incurable tumour while her ex-partner Iain has Huntington’s disease, a brain condition which effects movement and behaviour.
Iain’s illness will get worse over time, meaning the couple’s daughters, Imogen, 12, and Madeleine, nine, face a future without both of their parents.
Dawn and Iain split up some years ago and the mother-of-two was with her then fiance Stephen Wilson, when she was diagnosed with grade three breast cancer.
The cancer eventually spread to her lymph nodes but Dawn was given the all-clear in August 2015 and the couple married the following year.
Sadly, the cancer returned earlier this year after a tumour was discovered below her collar bone.
Stephen has now vowed to care for her girls and communities across Wales have rallied around to help the family in need.
People have also donated to a fundraising page set up by some of Dawn’s closest friends.
Dawn said: ‘We raised about £6,000 in the end from the JustGiving page.
‘Most of the money was spent on taking the girls to Florida but it also helped with other things.
‘I was able to get a mobility scooter so I can get around when I’m having really bad days.
Dawn with her daughters Imogen and Madeleine while receiving treatment for her tumour
‘It helps me to do things with the girls when I can’t walk long distances.’
Dawn was determined every penny raised would be spent on things to help her spend time with her daughters.
Businesses have also come forward to help, with a life-casting company offering to make arm casts of the mother with her children.
The moulds, which show Dawn holding hands with the girls, will be put alongside other treasured items in a memory box.
Dawn said: ‘Each of the girls wanted to do something personal to us.
‘Imogen and I did a pinky promise as that’s a little thing that we do.
‘But with Madeleine she put her hand on top of mine to mimic what we do in the car.
‘She’s always fidgeting so to stop her from moving around in the car she always places her hand on top of mine.
Dawn with her husband Steve, who has vowed to look after her daughters when she becomes too ill to do so
‘So much came from the JustGiving page – people came forward just asking how they could help.’
Dawn said: ‘The money is spent on doing things with the girls – it’s not for me and Steve.
‘It’s for things we want to do that we may be pinching pennies for without.
‘I’m not sure how long I have and we worry that we could run out of money.
‘It’s amazing what people have done.
‘You really get to see the world in a completely different light. You seen a whole other side to it when something like this happens.
‘People have been so generous. It’s been unbelievable.’