By Leicester Mercury | Posted May 28, 2013
A woman who lost her husband and daughter to cancer within two months has thanked people for supporting a family fun day held in their memory.
In 2008, Yvette Roberts, of Thurmaston, learned her teenage daughter, Sophie, had been diagnosed with cancer
Two years into her losing battle with the disease, Sophie's father, Dave, was also diagnosed with cancer. They both passed away at LOROS, in Leicester, two months apart in September and November 2011. Dave was 44 and Sophie was 19.
Yvette, 52, said: "It was a very hard time, not just for me but for Sophie's older brother and sister, Ryan and Emma. I had Sophie in Leicester Royal Infirmary on morphine for the pain and my husband at Glenfield.
"We decided they should both be together at LOROS and we were told Sophie could well die on the way there.
"We got her there but, with the morphine, she was never conscious to say goodbye to her dad."
Yvette, who also had a granddaughter born with cystic fibrosis earlier this year, said she felt cheated by life but put on a determined smile for Sunday's fun day in memory of Dave and Sophie.
Hundreds of people attended the event, which raised money for LOROS and the Our Space campaign, to create a dedicated area for young adults with cancer at Leicester Royal Infirmary, where they were previously either treated in wards with children or adults.
Yvette said: "There's so much community spirit in Thurmaston. Dave and Sophie were both Thurmaston people and it's wonderful to see so many coming here and supporting this.
"I couldn't wish for a better day for them."
The organisation of the event was led by Dave's cousin, Dean Roberts (pictured above), who arranged live music, rides, stalls and other fun on Garden Street park, in Thurmaston, including a pantomime horse Grand National. Competitor Paul Field, 44, of Thurmaston, speaking ahead of the race, said: "I'm going to be taking part in the Grand National but I'm the front end of the horse, so it could be worse.
"It's good to be here to support the family because Ryan is a friend of mine and his dad and sister were well known."
Dean said: "We've had a great turnout and there are probably about 1,000 people here.
"We've done charity things before for Dave and Sophie but nothing as ambitious as this, so we're really pleased with it."
He said the event, which included karaoke later that night, was certain to raise over £1,000 for the two charities.
