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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Sion Morgan & Lucy Skoulding

'Incredible' mum lay dying in front of kids after developing mystery chest infection

A beloved husband has described how he tried to save his wife's life after she collapsed in front of their two children.

Andrew Blank, 44, has been left haunted by his wife Donna's death after she keeled over moments after claiming to be on the mend from the chest infection she had.

For days the 40-year-old had been taking antibiotics for what had been diagnosed as a simple chest infection, which she'd had for two days, reports Wales Online.

The cause of Donna's death remains unknown though the family suspect she was suffering from an undiagnosed heart condition.

Ben, 10, and Samantha, 12, watched on in horror as Andrew desperately tried to save their stricken mum with CPR on the bedroom floor of their home in Mayhill, Swansea.

Now he says he must "stay strong" for their four children – but admits being haunted by the site of Donna's dead body on the floor every time he goes to bed.

He said: "I'm hurting like hell, but trying my best to not let the kids see it.

Andrew tried to save his beloved wife after she collapsed at their home (Wales Online WS)


"I've got to stay strong for them and be the dad they need me to be.

"I try not break down in front of them, but when they've gone to bed I just sit out in the garden and cry my eyes out.

"I hate going to bed every night. Every time I go in that room I see Donna lying on the floor.

"I'd happily swap with her any day of the week, I wish I could take her place so the kids can grow up with their mum.

"But I wouldn't want her to have this pain. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy."

Andrew added: "Telling the kids she didn't make it was the hardest thing I've ever done.

"They were all in the living room and I got as far as 'mummy's in heaven' before I started bawling my eyes out.

Donna was about to turn 41 and it would have been her 11th wedding anniversary on Saturday (Wales Online WS)


"My stepdad had to step in and say it because I just couldn't.

"Her birthday would have been next Monday, she was about to turn 41. It's our 11th wedding anniversary on Saturday as well.

"She had her whole life ahead of her and now she's gone – we didn't even get a chance to say goodbye.

"I miss her so much. She was an incredible mum. She was just a brilliant, brilliant person. I just don't know what I'm going to do without her."

Donna collapsed in front of her two children (Wales Online WS)


A GoFundMe page to cover grief counseling and funeral expenses has already raised £927 in less than a week.

Andrew added: "The community have really rallied around me and the kids. We've had food bought for us, we've had hampers, people have donated to the GoFundMe.

"I didn't realize how well-liked she was around here until she passed – I hope she knew. That would give me some comfort."

You can donate to the GoFundMe page here.

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