THE children of a mother-of-eight who died last month at the age of 29, paid tribute to her at a funeral service held yesterday.

Natasha Duffin’s life was celebrated at Poole Crematorium in a packed service, attended by husband Andrew and their children, from Hamworthy, following her death on January 19, just a week before her 30th birthday, after a battle with leukaemia.

Brandon, 12, Shannon, nine and AJ, seven, wrote their own words to describe their mother, which were read out on their behalf by the minister Noel Lockyer-Stevens who led the service.

It was a chance for the children to reflect on the time they and their siblings, Bradley, 11, Alfie, six, Megan, five, Jack, three, and Brooke, one-and-a-half, shared with their mother.

Shannon described in a poem how her mum’s favourite colour was red and how she would always make her giggle. She added: “I will look up to the stars at night and remember you when I am feeling blue.

“Mummy, you made me who I am, and I will make you proud. I love you, mummy and always will.”

Continuing with the theme of their mum looking over them from the sky, son AJ wrote: “Mummy, I can’t believe that you are gone.

“I am missing you and will always love you. I am sending a kiss up to the stars, for you to keep forever.”

Andrew Duffin also wrote an open letter to his wife, in which he said that he would only need to look into the eyes of their children and he would be reminded of her.

Donations are being collected to raise money to send Andrew and his children on a short break following the funeral.

For more information, write to Ives & Shand Funeral Service, 568 Ashley Road, Parkstone, Poole, BH14 0AG or go to funeraldirector.co.uk/natasha-duffin