Friends have rallied to support the heartbroken family of a much-loved mum-of-two following her death, aged 43.

Natalie Wells, of Littlebourne, near Canterbury, lost a battle with cancer on May 20, leaving behind her husband Stuart and two sons, Finley, 11, and seven-year-old Sonney.

Stuart was made redundant in December and spent the months after caring for his “soulmate”, while Natalie had no life insurance cover, leaving the family financially insecure.

So an appeal has been set up to support them, raising almost £3,000 in little more than a week.

It was launched by friend Louise Mackay, who says Stuart took on a charity bike ride to support her son when he required open heart surgery at the age of two.

“I feel it is now time to give back to such a loving family,” she said.

“Natalie and Stuart were true soulmates who were there for one another and she fought every day for him and their boys.

"She never showed any signs of weakness, especially in front of the boys, and stayed positive throughout.

“Stuart is truly heartbroken, not only from losing his true love, but at their boys losing their mother, who loved them unconditionally.”

Natalie, a mobile hairdresser who had lived in Court Meadows for 10 years, was diagnosed with bowel cancer last summer.

Despite chemotherapy, the disease spread to her liver, forcing her to undergo more treatment and eight blood transfusions.

Louise said: “She fought like a warrior through it all, living for the day and not for the future, never showing signs of weakness.”

Natalie’s death comes just months after Stuart lost his dad, Les Wells, to pancreatic cancer.

He later took part in a 100-mile bike for the Pilgrim’s Hospice.

Stuart, 37, who has taken on many other charity rides, said: “I thank my lucky stars both the boys look like their mummy and are a constant reminder of her.

"Natalie taught me to never give up, regardless of what hand you are dealt, and to always fight to the end.

"Although she has passed she is still the life and soul of our home and we share many joyous memories together.”

Natalie is survived by Stuart, Finley and Sonney, her best friend and sister, Kate, and her parents, Janet and Steve.

To donate click here.

For more real life stories, click here.

Read more: All the latest news from Canterbury