Deborah James’ daughter wears charity Christmas jumper as family reveals hope ‘we can carry on a bit of Deb’s light’
DAME Deborah James’ daughter has donned a charity Christmas jumper in memory of her mum.
Young Eloise wore the sweatshirt, which featured the words “Rebellious Hope” on the front, as part of a festive fundraiser during the family’s first Christmas without the beloved cancer campaigner.
The jumper is part of a Christmas clothing line which will help raise money for cancer research charities.
It was reportedly designed by Deborah herself before her tragic death from bowel cancer in June this year.
The Bowelbabe Fund, which raises money for Cancer Research UK in memory of Dame Debs, announced the limited edition Christmas line on Instagram.
All profits will go directly into the fund and contribute towards research trying to cure the disease once and for all.
The fund wrote in its social media post: “We are so excited to announce this very special, limited edition Christmas jumper launched by In The Style.
“We know Debs would have absolutely LOVED them. She enjoyed the Christmas magic, decorating the (too tall!) tree, dressing up in sequined mini dresses or in matching Christmas jumpers – celebrating life and making memories.
“We hope this jumper can carry on a bit of her light and magic. She will be so missed this year.”
They added that the message of “Rebellious Hope” is a call to “find light and positivity in moments of darkness, and to hold onto hope and nurture it when you find it”.
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The current line is a special Christmas run of the fund’s association with In The Style.
In May, Debs herself launched an initial collection as she told her ‘mini-me’ Eloise to “keep dancing to the moon and back” in a poignant tribute.
The podcaster turned fashion designer said of the garments at the time: “Designed for my beautiful dancing, ballet loving mini me, my daughter Eloise, keep dancing to the moon and back.”
Just this month, Deborah’s own loving mum, Heather, spoke about how hard Christmas will be without her.
She said: “Lots of things just catch you unawares.
“I was at the garden centre the other day with my husband Alistair and I spotted the Christmas baubles.
“Deborah loved Christmas so much, she loved buying the children new decorations, picking the tree, decorating it and playing Christmas songs.
“Last year, I remember we came to the same garden centre and she found a shoe decoration for her daughter Eloise.
“She came home with some huge Nutcracker ornaments too. I know I am going to find it really hard to see those this year.”
Debs’ bond with her own daughter was clearly just as strong.
After a stunning white and pale pink rose was named after her in May, she told The Sun that she hoped Eloise would have it in her wedding bouquet one day, in a heartwarming interview.
Debs, Heather and Eloise also all donned their pink PJs for ‘one last girly sleepover’ that same month.
The 40-year-old captured the hearts of the nation in the weeks before she died of Stage 4 bowel cancer on June 28.
Thanks to her efforts in raising awareness, in the past year 2.8million people were tested for the disease, data published last month shows — up almost a fifth from 2.32million in 2018/19.
And figures from the NHS this month showed record numbers of cancer cases are being caught early, with 56.7% of cases — 100,461 out of 177,180 in a sample — found at stage one or two in 2021-22.
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The Bowelbabefund also revealed that they have raised £1.68million through the sale of t-shirts and other clothing in the collection.
The touching statement was signed off: “Love, Deborah’s family x.”