A “one of a kind” mum died suddenly while flying back to the UK after spending 15 years living in Hong Kong. A few hours into the flight, Helen Rhodes was found unresponsive and couldn't be resuscitated after passing away in her sleep.
The family of the midwife were left "traumatised" as they were left broken sat next to their mum in a “breathless sleep”, The Mirror reports. A friend of the family explained that this was the case for the remaining eight hours of the flight until they landed in Frankfurt on August 5.
Helen was travelling with her family as part of a "new adventure" which she never got to experience.
Though it was an "extremely traumatising" experience, the "devastated" family had the opportunity to say their last goodbyes while sitting beside her. When they arrived Helen's body stayed in the German city while her husband and kids continued on to the UK, leaving behind the "glue that held the family together".
Jayne Jeje, who set up a fundraiser to help the grieving family, explained how Helen was feeling before her final flight.
She said: "Helen and her family wrapped up a life in Hong Kong of over 15 years to embark on a new chapter living back home in the UK. Helen was excited and nervous about the move, but looked forward to seeing her family back home, as she had not seen her family or ageing parents since the pandemic began.
"Sadly, she never got to see them again. Helen was one of a kind, a gem.
“She was a midwife by profession, and was always willing to lend a helping hand or advice to anyone who needed it. Helen loved to talk and made friends easily."
While living in Hong Kong's Tung Chung area, Helen became the "pulse of her community" and would be stopped on the street by all the people she knew.
She became an invaluable member of a motherhood group in the district and would be their point of reference for anything medical-related, Jayne said.
In a tribute towards the end of the post, Jayne added: "This fundraiser is to honour this lovely woman who was loved by so many, a dear friend who touched so many people.
"We can only hope she knew how much she meant to us., and how her void can never be filled. How this loss is so painful and surreal.
"The grief we feel is paralysing. Yet, we feel lucky to have known her."
Helen, who ran her own business making bespoke bows and accessories, was a "devoted wife and mother" and "the glue that held her family together", Jayne said earlier.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the family with unexpected expenses and to "honour our dear friend Helen".
If you want to help raise money for the family, visit their GoFundMe page here
Read more of today's top stories here
READ NEXT:
- Did 'gang bosses' escape because cops were squabbling? The allegations rocking GMP
-
Mum's terror as little boy, 4, rushed to intensive care after catching chicken pox
-
Nine in 10 NHS dental practices are not accepting new adult patients
-
Homeowner who built blockade to stop drivers parking in road plans to install a LAKE
- 'I took Shane into my home and told friends he was the one. Months later I was living in hell'
