A TERMINALLY ill mum, whose biggest fear is leaving her children behind, says she feels humbled by a fundraising page set up by friends to support her kids when she’s no longer around.

Elisa Cole, who lives in Old Town, only found out five weeks ago that her cancer was stage four after initially going to the doctor about being breathless.

The 37-year-old was told the devastating diagnosis at the hospital when scans were carried out to see if it was a blood clot on her lungs and the discovery was one she didn’t expect to hear.

“It was a big shock because the doctors said the cancer can’t be cured. With treatment, they hope to prolong my life by months if not years but I just want to make more memories with my children before it gets worse,” said Elisa.

“Now I’m OK with the fact I have cancer and I’ve accepted that it is stage four. I just want to make sure that my children are happy and we make memories in the time I have left.”

Elisa, who has since started having chemotherapy, grew up in Swindon and attended Churchfields School. Many People have been reaching out offering messages of support since the fundraiser was shared on Facebook with the aim of raising £5,000 to provide money for her children.

“It is lovely because everyone knows my biggest fear is leaving my children so the post has been fantastic. It means I know people are looking out for them - I had no idea it had been started for them.

“I sadly lost my mum to cancer when I was 14 and I think my eldest Abigail thinks it is history repeating itself.”

Since moving back to Swindon only a few months ago from Bournemouth, Elisa said despite her diagnosis she wants to continue to volunteer with homeless charities as she did a lot of work with the homeless in the seaside town.

Now she wants to create memories with her children Jenson, five, Ezme, seven, and Abigail, 14, having written a bucket list.

“It is just little things I want to do on the bucket list. I have friends who I call family in America and I would love to see them one last time and other things are like seeing Niagra Falls and the Northern Lights but even small things like taking the children to see the panto at the Wyvern because I know they would love that,” Elisa said.

The mum-of-three added that she has made arrangements for her own cremation and wants her ashes to be scattered on Bournemouth beach so that if her children want to be near her they can take a trip to the seaside. To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/Elisacole