A pair of grieving sisters are asking for help to give their mum the send-off she deserves following her sudden death at the age of 47.

Amanda Johnson died from a heart attack at her home in Evergreen Close, Iwade.

Daughters Shannon, 23, from Milton Regis and Chloe, 20, found her on March 15 after Shannon dropped Chloe off after work.

Shannon said: “It was pretty awful and a very distressing experience for us. We never expected to lose our mum at such a young age. She suffered acute heart failure caused by ischaemic heart disease. It came as a huge shock.

Shannon added: “She had been under several different consultants and saw a GP regularly. She was not a very well woman.

"She had quite a few difficult medical conditions. She had diabetes, a kidney transplant back in 2011 and fibromyalgia.

"But it was never suggested anything was wrong with her heart. We are devastated at all the things she will now miss in our lives.”

Because Mrs Johnson had Type 1 diabetes, she had been unable to work and didn’t have life insurance. As neither of her daughters are eligible for financial help as they aren't on benefits, Shannon created a Gofundme page.

She said: "It was a last resort. There is no money in our mother's estate either to help us cover the costs of the funeral she deserves.”

The page has already raised more than £2,200 of its £3,600 goal.

Shannon said: “People have been so generous. We have been overwhelmed by the love and support we have been shown.

"The generosity of not just friends and family but also those who don’t know us and have been kind enough to donate is truly incredible.”

'Truly difficult time'

Mrs Johnson's funeral will be on Thursday, April 14. Shannon added: "She stayed around Sittingbourne her whole life but she was quite a private person. At least she is no longer in any pain."

On the GoFundMe page Shannon wrote: "The stress of losing our mother at such a young age, partnered with the financial burden we have now been left with, is huge which is why I am asking if anyone can spare anything to help.

"We would be so grateful. It would really help us both and the family during this truly difficult time."

To donate to the fundraiser click here.