Mother, 41, given just one year to live writes birthday cards and letters for her five-year-old daughter to be delivered up until the little girl turns 40
- Lene Pearce, 41, has Motor Neurone Disease (MND) and has a year left to live
- The mother from Nottinghamshire has written dozens of letters for her daughter
- Five-year-old Lexi-Ann will have letters up until her 40th birthday plus pictures
- She has also written letters for her wedding day and special ones for 18 and 21
A terminally ill mother given just one year to live has taken the heart-rending steps of writing birthday cards and letters for her daughter to be delivered up until the little girl turns 40.
Lene Pearce, who has Motor Neurone Disease (MND), was told in September this Christmas would be her last, and took it upon herself to write enough birthday cards for her daughter, Lexi-Ann Pearce, to last her up to the year 2053.
Ms Pearce has even written a letter for her daughter's wedding day and will gift her a teddy bear she was given by her own mother on her wedding day in 2013.
Lene Pearce, who has Motor Neurone Disease (MND), was told in September this Christmas would be her last, and took it upon herself to write enough birthday cards for her daughter, Lexi-Ann Pearce, to last her up to the year 2053
Having lost mobility in her arms and legs, Ms Pearce dictated the words and asked a nurse at Nottinghamshire Hospice to write the cards for her - but she managed to personally sign every card with the word 'Mummy x'.
Tragically, there was initially some optimism about Mr Pearce's diagnosis, with doctors believing they had a chance to treat the severe disability.
But when she began falling and breaking bones doctors diagnosed her with the more serious and ultimately terminal MND.
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She said: 'I wanted to do something to let her know that I will always love her. It's all about the bond between a mother and her daughter.
'I got told by the hospital in September that I only had a year to live, but we've had a lovely Christmas.
'We went to Lapland UK and she had a fantastic time. It's all about making memories.'
Having lost mobility in her arms and legs, Ms Pearce dictated the words and asked a nurse at Nottinghamshire Hospice to write the cards for her - but she managed to personally sign every card with the word 'Mummy x'
In the cards for Lexi-Ann's 18th and 21st birthdays, Ms Pearce said she has put in a picture of herself at that age for her daughter to see and remember her by
In the cards for Lexi-Ann's 18th and 21st birthdays, Ms Pearce said she has put in a picture of herself at that age for her daughter to see and remember her by.
She added: 'It will be a surprise for Lexi as she doesn't know that I'm doing this. I will be giving her my Tiffany eternity ring.
'For Lexi's fifth birthday we went to Disneyland Paris - we've had some amazing times together.
Ms Pearce has even written a letter for her daughter's wedding day and will gift her a teddy bear she was given by her own mother on her wedding day in 2013
'I'm sorting through the photos right now to put some in the cards. I'm just putting little things in each one to make it special.'
Despite Ms Pearce splitting up with her husband three years ago, he has moved to Nottingham and will become her carer - looking after her during her final months and spending time with their daughter.
Ms Pearce hopes her daughter will grow up to be 'confident' and keep her 'energy' and love for life.
Despite Ms Pearce splitting up with her husband three years ago, he has moved to Nottingham and will become her carer - looking after her during her final months and spending time with their daughter. Ms Pearce hopes her daughter will grow up to be 'confident' and keep her 'energy' and love for life
Jo Polkey, director of care at Nottinghamshire Hospice said: 'When someone faces a terminal diagnosis we talk to them about what they want to do in the time they have left and support them in achieving those aims.
'We encourage them to think about the legacy they want to leave for their families and always try to facilitate this. Lene has faced her diagnosis head on and actively taken up that challenge.
'Her determination to make the most of the time she has left and to create a lasting legacy for her daughter has been an inspiration.'
