The loved ones of a former Swindon nurse with terminal cancer will use now use the money raised to get her home for her funeral after her unexpected death.

Mandy Haigh, 54, was a nurse practitioner at the Great Western Hospital until she retired five years ago and moved from Swindon to Cyprus to live out her retirement with partner, Brian.

But after being diagnosed with and beating various forms of cancer throughout her life including breast cancer a few years prior, she was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer last year and died on Sunday night.

Mandy's family had initially set up a fundraiser for a private ambulance to get her home to spend precious last moments with her family, as she was too ill to travel via conventional means, but after her unexpected death, they have confirmed they will now use the money to give her the 'send-off she deserves'. 

In an emotional announcement, daughter Sian Jelliman, 32, said: "Tonight we said goodbye to the most amazing woman. Mum passed peacefully in her sleep surrounded by family with words of love and admiration.

"To all those who have been checking in and sending messages of support, we thank you, it's meant more than you know."

Sian Jelliman, who now lives in Tidworth having moved from Swindon, set up the fundraising page seeking £50,000 and it had received donations of just under £9,000 prior to Mandy's death. 

Sian explained this money would now go towards getting Mandy back to the UK and towards her funeral. 

"To all those who have donated to and shared the GoFundMe page to get Mum home, the gratitude we have felt is beyond words.

"While it is not in the way we planned, we will still use your generous donations to get Mum home so we can lay her to rest among family.

"The messages containing memories about Mum and the messages of support for Mum since the GoFundMe page was posted have been appreciated by us all and helped to lift our spirits. 
"But most importantly, they were read out to mum and she was so happy and felt so loved in her last days, for that we thank you."

To donate please visit https://gofund.me/1a083593.

Sian said her mother had 'devoted her life to caring for others'

"She was the most loving and supportive mum, never failing to be the glue of our family. And just when we thought she couldn't be any more amazing, she became a Nanna to my boys, and what a blessing she is to her princes.

"The bond they have with both Mum and Dad is beyond anything I've seen.

"Holidays at Nanna and Dandans house every summer and swimming in their pool will be memories that are cherished by Jack and Aiden forever more.

Mandy first overcame bowel cancer at the age of 34, and after falling in love with Cyprus during Brian's RAF posting and making their 'dream a reality' by moving there, she had to overcome cancer again - this time breast cancer. 

"Their blissful bubble was unfortunately short-lived after they were told my mum's incredible strength was needed again," Sian said, "This time to beat breast cancer. And she did, with grace and dignity she fought this disease again and won."

But in August last year, she received the news it had returned and spread to other parts of her body and she began chemotherapy in October. 

"I just want to say how appreciative we are of all of the support we’ve received," Sian added.