Fund for children of couple who died of cancer in same week raises more than £120k

A campaign set up for three children orphaned when their parents both died from cancer in the same week has raised more than £120,000 in just five days.

Earlier in the week, the children shared a photo of their parents, Mike and Julie Bennet, holding hands during their final days together in a hospice in the Wirral, Merseyside.

The JustGiving page was set up by friends of the couple to allow their three children - Luke, 21, Hannah, 18, and Oliver, 13 - to "continue to live a life at home and be able to sustain their activities and studies".

Mr and Mrs Bennet, who were both suffering from terminal cancer, were being cared for at the same hospice.

Mr Bennet, a 57-year-old self-employed cabinet maker, was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2013 and had been cared for by his wife and family at home.

But in May 2016, Mrs Bennet, 50, a primary school teacher, was diagnosed with breast cancer, which then spread to her liver and kidneys.

Mr and Mrs Bennet both died last week, within just five days of each other.

Their three children have described the support from friends, family and members of the public as "overwhelming"

The fundraising campaign, which had an original target of £50,000, has now raised more than £120,000, with donations continuing to pour in.