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kmfm's Make Someone's Christmas surprises Rosalind South from Ashford after losing her husband to cancer and getting diagnosed herself five days later

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The final call for kmfm's Make Someone's Christmas has been an emotional one.

We have seen 10 days of gift-giving to bring happiness to those who deserve it most this year, surprising people across the county with more than £5,000 worth of presents given away, thanks to McArthurGlen Ashford Designer Outlet.

Rosalind with her husband, Alex and their boys, Maxwell and Zach
Rosalind with her husband, Alex and their boys, Maxwell and Zach

The festivities come to a close with a phone call to Rosalind South from Ashford, nominated by her friend Jem Thompson.

In her nomination, Jem said: "Last year, Roz’s husband Alex was diagnosed with cancer. He died in March. He was 34.

"He left behind Roz and two boys; Maxwell and Zach, aged two and 11 months at the time.

"Five days after Alex passed away, Roz found out she has breast cancer. She has not only battled with grief, but has also had a lumpectomy, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

"She and the boys deserve some happiness this Christmas. Smiles are needed."

Drivetime presenter Rob Wills made the call to Rosalind who described Alex as her soulmate.

She said: "Alex was my absolute world. He was a brilliant dad - my soulmate, my life - the kindest, most generous man. I'm very luck to have known him.

"He was so brave. He said: 'This is the hand we've been dealt so we need to get on with it and the main thing is I need to know that you and the boys are going to be okay.' And then he died four days later."

The 38-year-old went on to explain how she was also diagnosed with cancer just five days later.

"Alex died on the Friday and I was in hospital on the Tuesday, the funeral was on Thursday and I was in an operating theatre on the Saturday."

Rosalind and Alex on their wedding day
Rosalind and Alex on their wedding day

Being as her cancer was caught quit early on, Rosalind has now finished all of her treatment and should, hopefully, be in the all clear. But she will continue to have regular checks in the coming years.

"My husband had no symptoms until it was too late. He didn't smoke, didn't drink excessively and ate a good, rounded, healthy diet and yet here we are.

"The cancer I had was aggressive but the lump I found was the size of the pea. Google said it would probably be a cyst, but I chose not to ignore it . Thank god," she said.

Rosalind expressed her gratitude for the incredible support friends and family have given her over the past year.

"The day I told my friends about Alex's diagnosis, they have just kept me going and then when I got my diagnosis, they ramped it up a gear.

Rosalind with Maxwell and Zach
Rosalind with Maxwell and Zach

"I genuinely couldn't have got through this year without my friends and family.

"Mine and Alex's parents have helped bring up my boys. It's obviously hit them really hard - struggling with grief while also dealing with two boys who are young, full on and don't understand what's happened."

A positive mindset has also helped Rosalind during the past year.

"I have to just keep going and keep positive. Alex was an incredibly positive person and I owe him to do the same.

"I'll keep making memories with my boys and make sure they know who their daddy was and what a great man he was. They are the spit of him so he's left me a wonderful legacy."

To help Rosalind and her children make this Christmas as special as possible, kmfm and McArthurGlen Ashford Designer Outlet are sending them £1,500 of Center Parcs vouchers.

After hearing about what the family have been through, Centre Parcs has also promised lots of extra treats and activities during the holiday.

Rosalind said: "Oh my goodness me, really? That's amazing. Thank you very much. I'm lost for words."

She added: "Just grab life and enjoy it because you just don't know what's round the corner.

"Happy Christmas. Make it count."

From everyone at McArthurGlen Ashford Designer Outlet, Centre Parcs, and here at kmfm - Merry Christmas.

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