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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Joel Leaver

Deborah James' parents pay loving tribute to Bowelbabe fundraiser's life

Dame Deborah James ' parents raised a glass in her honour yesterday on a special occasion, after recently suggesting that others do the same in memory of their daughter.

The late podcast host - who had been diagnosed with bowel cancer around six years ago - passed away last week, aged 40, with her surrounded by loved ones at the time.

Her death prompted an outpouring of tributes and in recent days her charity fundraising initiative the Bowelbabe Fund surpassed more than £7 million in donations.

It's understood that some proceeds from the sale of special rose, named in her honour, have gone towards the fund - with her parents posing with such at an event yesterday.

It was announced last week that Dame Deborah James had passed away (Bowelbabe/Instagram)
Her family, including mother Heather James, have continued to support her Bowelbabe Fund (Deborah James/Instagram)

The Harkness Rose Company had previously unveiled a rose named after the campaigner - with £2.50 from the sale of each going towards her fund, in aid of Cancer Research UK.

Deborah's parents Heather James and Alistair James saw the special variety of rose up close during a visit to a garden festival at Hampton Court Palace in Surrey yesterday.

Sharing a photo of them stood with a display of the rose, the family said on Instagram : "It was lovely to raise a glass today to Deborah at Hampton Court Palace Garden festival."

Deborah's parents Heather and Alistair James raised a glass in her honour at a flower show yesterday (bowelgran/Instagram)

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They thanked the Harkness Rose Company for "making [it] possible" and revealed to fans that the special variety of rose will be on show at the festival throughout the week.

The photo had been posted by the floral company on its social media, having said in the caption: "Today we raised a glass to Dame Debs at Hampton Court Flower Show."

The rose was unveiled earlier this year (bowelbabe/Instagram)
Her parents recently supported an initiative to get people to raise a glass in her honour (INSTAGRAM)

The business had added: "It was so lovely to welcome Alistair and Heather James to our stand to see Deborah's rose." It concluded by writing: "Big hugs and lots of love."

It's not the first time Heather had seen the special rose, with her having previously said: "It's amazing. I love the rose cause it's the white with the pink bits. Absolutely stunning."

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