WHEN little Liberty-Rose went to sleep on Christmas Eve last year, her dad Stephen Addley was still alive.
But by Christmas morning, the 23-year-old had passed away.
Stephen was diagnosed in June with a rare cancer known as a malignant peripheral nerve sheath sarcoma, after noticing a lump on his abdomen in March.
He underwent surgery in July to remove the tumour – leaving him with 77 staples across his stomach – and was initially told he would go on to live a normal life.
But in October, just three weeks after proposing to his wife Hannah, also 2023, the cancer returned and doctors said there was nothing more they could do.
Although the family knew his illness was terminal, Hannah says his sudden decline still came as a shock.
“Honestly, it came out of nowhere,” she said.
“We were told that it probably would happen because of how aggressive his tumour was, but he just started going really downhill.
“I’m finding it really hard to even just look at Liberty-Rose, because I just feel so bad.
“She went to bed on Christmas Eve with her dad, and she woke up on Christmas Day without him, and it’s horrible.”
By the time Christmas Eve came around, Stephen was too weak to speak.
But he summoned the strength to wave to baby Liberty-Rose as she was brought into his room at the family home in Whitfield, near Dover, Kent.
Hannah says it is a moment that will stay with her forever.
“The last time he spoke was at half past five that morning,” she said.
“Then after that, the last thing he did – which I’ll always remember and I’ll make sure Liberty-Rose knows as well – is I took her in to see him in the morning and he waved to her.”
Stephen died later that evening, just five weeks after marrying Hannah in an emotional event organised by volunteers, after he was told he had only months to live.
He was taken to the ceremony in a convoy of bin lorries driven by his colleagues at waste contractor Veolia.
The couple’s ceremony at Bluebirds in Dover was made possible by local businesses and volunteers coming together.
Hannah says the wedding allowed them to create memories and photographs they can one day share with Liberty-Rose.
“I’m really grateful that we did get the wedding. It meant a lot,” she said.
“I know there’s probably going to be people out there, saying, ‘Why did they get married at 23?’
“But it’s what we wanted anyway. We wouldn’t have done it if we didn’t want to do it originally.”
‘An amazing dad’
Hannah and Stephen met in 2023 when they were both working at a restaurant.
“We got on really well at work. When it was just us, you could tell there was a really special bond there,” she recalled.
Liberty-Rose was born in 2024, with Stephen, throwing himself into fatherhood.
“All he ever wanted to be was a dad, and he was an amazing one,” said Hannah.
“It’s hard to come across dads like Stephen, especially at his age.
“I found not only an amazing person for me, but I couldn’t have asked for anyone better to have started a family with.
“Even on his bad days, he was still more concerned about how everyone else felt than how he felt.”
Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumours begin in the in the layer covering the peripheral nerves, which send messages between the brain and spinal cord and the rest of the body.
There are an average of 72 cases diagnosed every year in England, according to Sarcoma UK.
Aware of Stephen’s failing health, the family celebrated Christmas early on December 13 so he could watch Liberty-Rose open her presents.
Stephen died at home, as he had wished, surrounded by family and friends.
He was supported by devoted friends Declan, Brenden, Josh and Will, who helped the family in his final months, and were present at the end of his life.
Stephen is survived by Hannah, Liberty-Rose, his mum Gemma, dad Will and sisters Kirra and Lana.
Hannah says losing Stephen has been devastating, describing him as “loved and respected” and an “amazing dad” to Liberty-Rose.
“It’s left a massive hole in my heart,” she said.
“It shouldn’t happen to anyone, but he really didn’t deserve it. He was so, so lovely.
What are Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumours?
Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumours are a type of peripheral nerve sheath tumour.
These cancers begin in the layer that cover the peripheral nerves.
They’re very rare.
Most peripheral nerve sheath tumours are benign, but some can be cancerous.
They most commonly grow in the legs or deeper tummy.
Symptoms can vary depending on the size and location of your tumour.
You may experience all, some or none of these symptoms.
A lump or swelling in the soft tissue of the body under the skin, often on the arm, leg or trunk, which:
- Increases in size
- Is larger than 5cm
- Usually painful, but not always
“There have been a lot of kind words towards him because he was a really good man.
“I feel the only way I could describe it is that I feel empty. We had so many plans for the future, and then now they’re just gone.”
A fundraiser was set up to create memories and help fund Stephen and Hannah’s wedding, as well as support Hannah and Liberty-Rose in the future.
The family were originally planning a trip to Disney, but as Stephen’s health deteriorated, the remaining funds will now be placed into a trust for Liberty-Rose.
“Without everyone’s kindness, that wouldn’t have happened, and she wouldn’t have anything,” Hannah said.
“I know Stephen was really grateful as well for that.”
