FAMILY and friends of a young woman who has been given two weeks to live are helping to take away the financial burden of her funeral.

Suzanne Shipley, from Great Sankey, was diagnosed with type one diabetes when she was 14 years old.

As a result of the illness she has also suffered with neuropathy and retinopathy and underwent a kidney transplant donated by her mum Rose.

Suzanne had to have her lower leg amputated after contracting sepsis in 2017.

The 34-year-old was given the devastating news before Christmas that her kidneys had failed and due to other health conditions, no further treatment could be offered.

Suzanne was given two weeks to live but like a true Shipley, Suzanne has defied the odds and is still fighting four weeks on.

The Shipley family have faced unimaginable tragedy over the years, most recently losing Suzanne's sister Claire in October.

Her dad, Graham, died many years ago following struggles with type one diabetes and the same illness also caused her brother, Stephen, to go blind aged 19 before his death aged 31.

Jo Tocher, a close family friend who set up the fundraising page, said: "Suzanne, her mum, Rose and sister, Laura are the nicest people you could ever meet and deserve so much more than what they are dealing with right now.

"Hearing how upset Suzanne is, worrying about funeral costs when she should be spending her last few days at peace, fell quite heavy on my heart.

"Suzanne assumed the costs would be covered but Macmillan have told her this funding is only available to cancer patients, which as you can imagine became a real worry for the family, especially given both Rose and Laura haven’t worked for a long time so that they could support Suzanne and Claire.

"Suzanne is a true warrior, her positivity, determination and selflessness during such a difficult time has amazed me, and the strength and love shown by Rose and Laura should be acknowledged.

"No mother should have to say goodbye to their child and to be going through this emotion for the third time literally breaks my heart."

Suzanne wrote on Facebook: “My beautiful mum is already struggling to pay the rest of my sister Claire’s funeral and I really didn’t want to burden her with the debt of mine.

"I had to quit work because of poor health and mum couldn’t work as she had to take me to and from dialysis four times a week as well as various hospital appointments and then Claire had to go through the same process. She basically became a carer for us both and this is why your donations mean so much to us and any help we receive is greatly appreciated.

"I don’t want to have to say goodbye to friends and family and I’m terrified of dying and leaving behind those I love, but I want you all to know this has eased my mind so much and how grateful I am."

It is hoped that any surplus donations can be used to treat Rose and Laura to some time away with their family to recuperate.

You can donate towards Suzanne's funeral costs here.