A beloved mum has died after falling over at a hotel and hitting her head on the fireplace.
Kadie Hunt, 38, was at the Welbeck Manor Hotel in Devon on Saturday, April 13, where she fractured her skull and later died in hospital. Her mum, Shirley Hunt, said the severity of Kadie’s injuries were not known at the time. The mum-of-two had gone home to bed after the fall, but was found unresponsive by a friend the following morning and was then rushed to hospital.
Devastated Shirley, 59, says she is doing everything she can alongside her family to support Kadie's children, 13-year-old Caden and nine-year-old Poppy. Shirley said: “I want people to know how wonderful she was. She was loved by everybody, she had such a beautiful smile and she always helped everybody else."
She added that Kadie was "selfless" even in death. Shirley said: "That is her legacy - even now with the donation of her organs. I want people to know what lives my daughter has saved, by donating her organs - she’s a hero. She donated everything, skin included, and what she’s done is amazing. Within 12 hours they were operating on her and organs for donation were removed. The donor people were just amazing, they were so special."
Kadie's family will receive a medal honouring gift donors and their families. Shirley said: “Kadie was selfless right up until the end. The people's lives she saved will hopefully now have the time to make those memories we all cherish. When there is an organ donor, life springs from death, sorrow turns to hope, and a terrible loss becomes a gift. If people feel afraid to donate organs, don't be.”
Shirley has since set up a fundraiser to help cover the cost of Kadie’s funeral following her sudden death, and to help her grandchildren with a “brighter future”. She said: “As we get ready to say goodbye, I'm feeling the weight of funeral expenses. It's tough, but I'm trying to stay positive for her children's sake." Kadie's funeral will be a "celebration of her life" and loved ones attending are encouraged to "wear bright colours".
Shirley and her family say they would like to thank the "brilliant" doctors and nurses on the Pencarrow Ward at Derriford Hospital for looking after Kadie in her final hours. The Welbeck Manor Hotel team said they are "deeply saddened" by Kadie's death and that she was a regular visitor. A spokesperson from the hotel said: "Kadie was well known and liked by the whole team, we are deeply saddened by her passing, our thoughts are with her family and friends at this time.”
You can donate the fundraiser for Kadie's funeral and her children here.