Dame Deborah and her father Alistair
(Picture: Instagram )Dame Deborah James paid tribute to her dad by sharing a photo him brushing her hair for Father’s Day.
The 40-year-old campaigner, who is receiving end-of-life care at her parents’ home after a five-year battle with bowel cancer, said she was too weak to take care of herself now.
Praising her caring father Alistair, she wrote: “Yes, my Dad is brushing my hair because I have no strength any more to brush this. My dad is my unsung hero, more so than ever. He’s quietly there behind the scenes, making sure I am OK.”
Her poignant social media post came days after she took a trip to Royal Ascot with her brother Benjamin for the races as she makes the most of the time she has left.
Following her trip to the racecourse, she told her social media followers she was “knackered” but thanked her dad for “holding me up” and said she had really enjoyed the “special day” out with her family.
Posting a picture of the pair together, she wrote: “I may be knackered today from Ascot yesterday, but dad is there to hold me up.”
In another post about the trip, she said: “I find myself living in limbo land, not really knowing what the future holds and for how long.
“It’s a very stressful uncertain place to be because when I was discharged from hospital over a month ago I was given days, maybe a week to live. And I felt like it.”
James added: “But as we all know life doesn’t go according to plan, so I’m just greatful for what ever extra time, the powers that be have decided to grant me.
“So despite the unnerving tears, I look at the sunshine, smile, and think, wow, life is a funny thing isn’t it!! Better enjoy it!”
