WHEN their darling Jess fell ill, Laura and Les Sawyer became her full-time support network, taking turns driving her to hospital appointments and giving up everything to be by her side, until she lost her battle with cancer.

The selfless father and daughter were rewarded for their devotion yesterday with £500 worth of Asda vouchers and a Thorntons chocolate hamper, courtesy of the Adver's Christmas Wish appeal.

The pair were nominated last month by Lyn Sawyer, who, due to her disability, was unable to care for her little girl as much as wished she could.

“Jess passed away on April 23 of non-Hodgkin lymphoma; she was 26,” said Lyn, 56, of Purton.

“It started in her neck four-and-half years ago.

“Laura and my husband were there 24/7, as I am disabled. I have bad legs, because of diabetes.

“They both took turns going to Oxford for radiotherapy and months of chemo. Laura shared everything with her.

“They were best friends, as well as sisters. Laura and my husband go to her grave every day.

“Me, I have a tree my son has planted in remembrance of her.

“Laura has done so much for Jess over the past five years and complained about nothing. She also helps looks after her gran, who has cancer of the throat.”

The mother-of-seven added: “They were so sad, I thought I would do something for them. It’s not going to be much of a Christmas, but I wanted to make the most of it.”

The vouchers and hamper were donated by Persimmon Homes and Thorntons respectively.

Les and Laura stood in stunned silence as they were presented with their Christmas gifts.

“We’ve never won anything,” said 59-year-old Les. “I was just there for my daughter. It’s part of life. You just get on with it.”

Laura, 32, added: “It felt natural to help her. I suppose I was trying to be there for her in any way possible. We were very close. I’m shocked. I’m glad my mum nominated us.”

Pauline Fletcher, sales and marketing director for Persimmon Homes Wessex, said: “It is fantastic to be involved once again in the Swindon Advertiser Christmas Wish appeal.

“We hope that, by granting these wishes, we can bring some joy to these families at this special time of the year.

“As one of Wiltshire’s leading housebuilders, it’s vitally important to us to support the local communities in which we build new homes.”

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