Orphaned children sell family pets to pay for mother's funeral

Three orphaned teenagers from Whittlesey are selling everything they own on eBay - including the family pets - to raise enough money to give their mother a dignified funeral. Tragic Jayne McCourt, 51, died suddenly in her sleep leaving her children Troy, 17, Rory, 15, and Alice, 14, with a desperate bid to raise £2,500 for her cremation service.

They have already sold their three beloved Spaniels, for a total of £250, and are putting their Xbox and every sellable stick of furniture from their former three-bed council house on the internet auction site. The distraught trio will be left with nothing but memories and photos of their former life with mum Jayne and dad Brian - who died of stomach cancer two years ago aged 56.

Devoted mum Jayne, from Whittlesey, died in her sleep on November 1 after suffering a chest infection. It is believed the sudden death was caused by a heart condition.



Distraught Troy said: ''As a family we don't have much. But all we do have must go. But belongings don't matter. We just want our mum to get the funeral she deserves. We can't face mum having a pauper's funeral. We're not asking for a lavish affair but she deserves a few flowers and a nice send-off.''

The family have been quoted £2,515 for their mum's funeral by Anglia Co-op Funerals, in Stanground, Cambs. The family claimed that funeral directors have demanded the full amount up front and will make no provisions or bookings until payment is received. The kids have so far raised £525 by selling dogs Peggy, Minnie, Sammy and a few sticks of old-fashioned furniture from their house.

If arrangements for a funeral are not made within 14 days of a person's death, they are given a ''council burial''.

Thankfully, the local football team, Peterborough United, have now agreed to foot the bill.