Chantel

Hello All,

My name is Shauna and it is with a heavy heart that I make this post.

My best friend Chantel Beckford gained her wings on the 9th of November 2024 after a long fight with breast cancer. She was only 39 years old, and we cannot put into words how much we will miss her.

Chantel was a beacon of wisdom, joy, and unconditional love. She touched the lives of everyone she met with her vibrant spirit, generous heart, and infectious personality. Her family and friends were her world, and she cherished her children with a love that knew no bounds. Her unwavering strength and deep faith carried her through life with grace and resilience, inspiring everyone around her. It was impossible not to love her from the moment you met her!

Chantel was resident in the United States of America when she received the diagnosis. She fought this disease with every fibre of her being for years, until the doctors confirmed the worse news imaginable… “there is nothing else we can do”.

Grounded in faith and the sheer will to live and survive for her husband and children, the family made the decision to move back to the UK, where Chantel had spent her childhood and early adult years. They left everything behind and relocated to continue her medical battle. The medical team here had a more optimistic outlook on helping her to live with the disease and giving her the best chance possible. That was almost two years ago.

Her husband of 15 years and her two young boys ages 9 and 6 are now left with facing a life without her and an unsure future. He will now have to move back to the United States with the children, as his permission to remain in the UK was a temporary one. This means he will be starting over financially, with two young children.

Whilst her family and friends are doing everything we can; we wanted to reach out to the wider community. If you have ever been affected by loss, grief or illness, then you know the complete devastation this brings.

We appreciate any act of kindness and will continue to see her hope and light in the smallest of things and the memories she left us with. The laughter of her children, her favourite songs, and her words of encouragement as we questioned the injustice of it all, will forever stay with us.

Even if you are unable to donate, please know that our prayers and hearts go out to you. You are not alone. Grief feels like it will break you and there are days when it takes every bit of your energy just to breathe, but this too shall pass… You are not alone.