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Friends and family of a Leicestershire woman suffering from terminal cancer have set up a trust fund to care for her two children.

Laurie Reedman from Woodhouse Eaves has been suffering with the disease for more than four years. But doctors say there is nothing more they can do for her.

Listen: Interview with Sarah Bown

BBC Leicester's Tony Wadsworth spoke to Sarah to find out how she and the rest of Laurie's family are coping....

The 35-year-old has two children, daughter Sammi, 14, and nine-year-old son AJ.

In a cruel twist of fate, Laurie's husband, Royce, died earlier this year after suffering a major heart attack.

Now her sister, Joss, who has moved from London to take care of her niece and nephew, and Laurie's friend, Sarah Bown, have set up a trust fund to support her children after her death.

Fighting Spirit

Last week Laurie was given just 48 hours to live, but is still fighting for her life.

The money raised will be used to pay off the mortgage of the family home, so that the children can continue to live in the place they once shared with their parents.

Sarah worked with Laurie in the accounts department at Monro Ltd in Coalville, and started the fund in June. So far they have raised around £7,000. But want to raise more.

Cruel Fate

Sarah says she will stop at nothing to help Sammi and AJ:

"To move out of the only home they have ever known, their home with their mum and dad, would break their hearts."

Laurie's sister Joss has has been unable to work since moving up to Leicestershire to take care of the children.

Sarah says she is doing the best job she can and being there for the children, despite having to cope with her sister's incurable condition.

Helping Hand

Sarah says it's been tough, especially for the children who visit their mum everyday in hospital:

"It's so hard for them both. They keep saying things will never be normal."

Now she and Laurie's friends are rallying round to do all they can to help.

They've been organising charity events to raise the cash needed.

Their next big event is a Stargazer Ball at the Tigers' Welford Road ground on 06 September 2008.

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