Mum reunites with family 'for last days'

Since The Oban Times told Renee’s story online and in print last week, donations towards her Gofundme appeal rocketed.

The 40-year-old from Kimelford told  best pal April O’Donnell, who set up the giving page, that the love and support from wellwishers made her cry "happy tears" knowing that the donations will help her children face the future without her.

Some of the biggest donations have been gifted anonymously. A week after the appeal was launched, it had smashed the halfway mark bringing in more than £9,000 and still climbing.

April said the public’s kindness has been overwhelming and every donation, big and small, was appreciated.

"I can’t stress enough what a selfless soul Ren is, she is an inspiration, still giving to others. She is an example to all of us. Despite knowing she only has weeks left to live, she is still staying upbeat and finding positives. She is ever giving, in so many ways. In hospital she has been laughing with people, sharing stories of when she was younger. She is thanking people herself for all the help they are giving her - and she is organising giving all her furniture away to the Saint Vincent De Paul charity who have given her so much support," said April.

Earlier this month, Renee’s children left school in Oban to go and live with their aunty Stephanie and partner Daniel in Birmingham who will bring them up.

The couple have sold their three-bedroom house and hope to move into a bigger one with room for them all soon.

Last week Renee made the journey south to follow James 14, Katherine 12 and seven-year-old Merry and to be with other family.

"She will stay with family for now but is planning to go into a hospice when that time gets nearer," said April.

Originally Renee’s online appeal was to help reach £38,000 needed to get her to Germany for vital treatment not available to her on the NHS  - but only hours later, the goal changed to £16,000 when the news was received that the liver cancer therapy abroad could no longer help her.

It was a colonoscopy organised as a precaution after a chat with her GP in 2023, that the shock diagnosis was first made.  The examination led to the discovery that she had primary bowel cancer with secondary liver cancer. Former colonoscopy nurse Renee, had almost cancelled the appointment in the unit where she worked at Oban hospital just to spare her embarrassment in front of colleagues. She later went on to urge people to overcome fear of blushes and always get health concerns checked out.

You can help Renee’s family here: www.gofundme.com/f/my-friend-rene-shaw-to-get-the-treatment-for-cancer