Mom who can’t afford heating for a dying girl, 7, sobs as strangers donate thousands

Alexandra Hazell, 35, told how her terminally ill daughter Anastasia, seven, had to be wrapped in blankets and kept warm with a log fire at their Norfolk home

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The mother of a terminally ill daughter speaks about her DIPG tumor

A brave mum has thanked strangers for donating thousands of pounds for her terminally ill daughter after revealing the family were unable to heat their home due to the rising cost of living.

Alexandra Hazell, 35, revealed on Wednesday how little Anastasia needed to be wrapped in blankets and kept warm with a log fire.

Her devastating story has inspired generous well-wishers to donate more than £5,000 in just hours to support the seven-year-old’s final moments in her home village near Great Yarmouth, Norfolk.

Her fundraiser has grown to nearly £8,000 with more donations pouring in for the youngster.

Anastasia had just 12 months to live when she was diagnosed with an aggressive and incurable DIPG brain tumor last March.

Through tears, Alexandra said, “It’s really overwhelming. The people were amazing and so helpful. It was the worst year of our lives but also the best because we had such incredible support.”

The fundraising page, titled Anastasia’s Legacy, now has more than £7,800 – more than half of the family’s goal.

Alexandra said the “Easter Bunny” will use some of the funds to buy gifts for Anastasia, including her favorite Lush bath products, which she “loves the smell of.”

She said the money will also be used to keep the family’s heating going after they have already run out of oil twice this year.

Well-wishers who donated to the site left emotional messages for the family.

Helen Cullip said: “Your story brought me to tears. You are all so brave.

“Just a little but together we hope that together we can make your beautiful little girl’s last days here as comfortable and warm as possible xxx”

Katie Kinnes wrote: “Wishing your family all the best in the challenges you are facing.

“What a beautiful and strong daughter you have and what a beautiful legacy you are building to ensure she is never forgotten. x”

Addressing little Anastasia directly, Robena Sharif wrote: “You are so beautiful, I hope your family has very fond memories of you.

“You are so beautiful, I can’t imagine what your mom and dad are going through. I wish you the best, sweetie.”

Alexandra has told how the family’s heating bill had risen from £400 during lockdown to £530 last month.

In February, they ran out of heat for three days before they could raise the money to ship oil.

Alexandra said her daughter’s lips “turned blue” as the family huddled in their room to keep warm with a wood-burning stove and blankets.

She said: “We had no heating for three days. Anastasia’s lips turned blue. It was really scary. The nurses panicked about her.

“We ran out of heat due to having to shower and bathe more and trying to keep the house warm during the February cold snap.

“It’s not like our house is warm all the time. We wear sweaters and everything. We have a Nest energy monitor to make sure we’re using as little energy as possible.”

Alexandra also said her grocery bill has doubled in price since last year, with the family’s weekly grocery shopping going from £70 to around £140.

The mother has started a charity called Hope House Hazells on Anastasia’s behalf, which supports children with special needs and their families.

Alexandra said: “We will help other children on their behalf.

“I think she’s really happy to know that she can help other people. This little girl showed us so much courage and we want to continue that.”

The GoFundMe page can be found here.