Breathlessly Mothering blogger Rachel Clements dies aged 31 after 15-year battle
A mummy blogger whose mortgage was helped to be paid off by comedian Jason Manford has died at the age of 31 after succumbing to her 15-year battle with an incurable lung disease.
Rachel Clements, who ran the blog Breathlessly Mothering, passed away after receiving palliative care for her complications from pulmonary fibrosis.
She leaves behind her three children – teenager Chloe, son Ivan and three-year-old Louis – as well as devastated family and friends.
Pal Nicola confirmed the tragic news on Monday, sharing on Rachel's Instagram a snap of herself in better health.
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"We are beyond devastated to inform you that our beautiful Rachel has sadly passed away. We all love her so much and she will be missed more than words can say," she wrote.
"We are so grateful, as I know she was, for the incredible kindness and generosity that people have shown her over this last year. It meant a lot to her, as it did to us, and we would like to thank you all for the support and love you have given to her.
"Rachel was the bravest, strongest and most selfless person you could know. Her illnesses took so much from her but she fought so hard with all that she had," her friend went on.
"This is life at its absolute cruelest."
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Rachel's last Instagram update was just a week before her death, a year after she'd undergone emergency surgery on her bowel to remove a 200ml plug of rotting mucus.
She admitted it had taken her 12 months to come to terms with the traumatic surgery and had struggled with whether or not to post about it.
The mum of three was in a reflective mood on January 2 when she contemplated not being able to see out the new decade.
"I've learned to accept that that's how its going to be now. I'm thankful for the small dreams I'm still able to make and accomplish, things that many take for granted," she wrote.
"The memories and moments I'm making and cherishing with my children on the good days mean the world to me; it almost fills me with relief as they get older there's the prospect that they might actually remember me when they're adults, being able to recall the sheer amount of love I had for them and how I made them feel and that brings me comfort of a sort."
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She added: "My dream for this year is to see Louis start primary school in September, guide Chloe on her academic choices for Year 9 and have more girl-time together, get back to North Wales to see my Grandparents, and see Ivan start preschool, continue nursing and get him started at a dance class.
"Oh, and to hopefully have a phenomenal summer with the 3 of them. Anything else is a bonus."
Rachel had hit headlines last July when her heartbreaking story caught Jason Manford's eye.
The comedian was so moved by Rachel's terminal plight that he insisted on helping to plug her crowdfunding page, which asked kindhearted donors to help pay off her mortgage so her three children wouldn't be left without a home after her death.
Thanks to Jason's involvement, donations rocketed from £30,000 to £80,000 in just three days – and quickly topped out at £120,000.
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It allowed her to pay off her remaining £119,000 mortgage, taking the pressure off her eldest daughter, then aged 12.
Rachel had said she was "lost for words" by people's kindness.
Talking about her children, the mum said: "It's impossible not to smile when I’m surrounded by them despite the disconsolate situation.
"They are ultimately what I live for each day, desperately fighting for air at every anxiety-driven breath.
"My pride, my reason to still push through to see another day.
"But soon they will have to live and breathe without me, a thought that punches me deep in the pit of my stomach."
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