A WOMAN who lost of both her parents within two years has battled her grief and disability to raise thousands for the hospice who cared for them.

Caroline Newman, 34, of Alton Gardens, Southend, was devastated when her mother Barbara Newman, of Cossington Road, Southend, died after a long fight with cancer aged 63.

But her world was shattered even further when two years later her father, Andrew Newman also died of cancer, aged 70.

Both Mr and Mrs Newman were cared by Fair Havens Hospice in their last days and the hospice also supported Miss Newman, who was also dealing with her own health problems.

Caroline, a project co-ordinator for Essex County Council, said: "My mum was diagnosed with skin cancer in 2010; it started off in her nose and from there it went all over her body.

"She had really major surgery on her nose - her face was basically peeled apart for try and get all of it out. They got rid of it but it came back again."

Mrs Newman was diagnosed with a tumour in her stomach and cancer was then also found in her tear ducts, eyebrow, breast and later spread to her spleen, liver, bones and brain.

Miss Newman said: "She had chemotherapy and radiotherapy but in the end they said the cancer had just gone everywhere and they wanted to stop treatment. But she was so strong and said she wanted to carry on, even though they said she should think about hospice care, she wanted to keep going."

Mrs Newman died at home on November 20, 2013. She had been able to return to her home thanks to the help of at home nurses organised by Fair Havens.

Miss Newman said: "They gave her the most amazing care in her own home; when we didn't know what to do they were there.

"I had bereavement counselling with Fair Havens too; they were really supportive."

But tragically, not long after her mum died, Miss Newman faced the prospect of losing her father.

She said: "Years ago they found tumours on his kidney and didn't think it was cancer he just needed to go for check-ups.

"They hadn't grown in the 14years he had known he had them.

"But he went for a check-up and they said they thought they might be cancerous and should have them removed.

"Because of all he had seen mum go through he didn't want unnecessary surgery.

"He was discharged but started to get really unwell so I made him get an emergency appointment."

After a scan it was found the tumours were cancerous and had spread to his lungs and lymph nodes.

Despite treatment, Mr Newman died at Fair Havens Hospice on November 6, 2015.

Yet again, Fair Havens Hospice was there for Miss Newman, supporting her with bereavement counselling.

On top of her grief, Miss Newman had her own health condition to worry about.

She has Spina Bifida, which is a condition where the spine does not develop properly, and a month after her dad's death received some worrying news.

She said: "The doctor said he didn't know how I was still standing and walking.

"He said I should be in a wheelchair and that it was his advice that I go in one permanently.

"But I said I'm not going to do that, for me that's giving up. I'm determined to keep walking."

Miss Newman is now aiming to raise £10,000 over the next year or so for Fair Havens in memory of her parents - and will be throwing herself out of a plane to do so!

Doing the skydive, on Saturday, May 27, will be quite a challenge for Miss Newman because of her disability - she finds it difficult to lift her legs in the way which is needed and will have to wear a special suit.

She will also hold a black tie fundraising ball after the jump, at the Park View Suite, in Chalkwell Park, from 8pm. Tickets are £20 per person and include live entertainment and a buffet. She hopes to raise £2,000 from the jump and the ball.

To buy tickets call Miss Newman on 07791613317 or donate at justgiving.com/fundraising/Caroline-Newman4