'Perfect' mum of two dies after collapsing at home

A "perfect" mum who will "live on forever through her children" died after collapsing at home.

Paula Redfern, from Litherland, died on Thursday, October 13 despite the best efforts from her husband Tony and paramedics. The 38-year-old was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 18 and suffered numerous complications over the years directly linked to the chronic disease.

In the last two to three years Paula’s kidney function dramatically deteriorated due to diabetic kidney failure. She was on the transplant list for a double transplant, for both kidney and pancreas.

During the last 12 months Paula was undergoing dialysis treatment and since the start of September she had been in hospital on three separate occasions due to complications with the treatment. Paula was discharged from from hospital on Wednesday, October 12 and had to go back in on the Thursday for more dialysis treatment, only for that to fail and be sent home again.

Paula collapsed at home that night and later tragically died. Husband Tony paid tribute to his wife who said she was a "perfect" mum to their two children Ella-Rose, seven and Louie, two.

He told the ECHO: "Paula was an unbelievable mother, wife, daughter, sister and friend to many. After being told years ago that she could never have children she defied all the odds to give birth to Ella-Rose and Louie, both healthy.

"This took its toll on Paula’s body but all she wanted to be was a mother and she was perfect at it. She paid the ultimate sacrifice just to be that person. She will never be forgotten and will live on forever through her children."

Paula Redfern, from Litherland (Family handout)

Tony added Paula "channelled into working hard and being the best she can be".

He added: "Before she became a mother she put everything into her niece and nephews, always looking after them. Paula worked at Peel Ports as the Bulk Administrator for the Gladstone Biomass Terminal since 2019 and later took on the same duties for the Grain and Steel departments.

"She had similar jobs before for car dealerships and solicitors but found her perfect job with Peel and she loved it and the people she worked with."

Paula's family are also keen to raise awareness for type 1 diabetes, which causes the level of glucose (sugar) in your blood to become too high. It happens when your body cannot produce enough of a hormone called insulin, which controls blood glucose.

They also urge anyone with the following symptoms to contact their GP:

feeling very thirsty
peeing more than usual, particularly at night
feeling very tired
losing weight without trying
thrush that keeps coming back
blurred vision
cuts and grazes that are not healing
fruity-smelling breath

Tony and his brother Jack Redfern who are "fanatic Everton fans" and wanted to give a special thanks to people from Everton who have helped them "behind the scenes" and to Liverpool fans who have helped also. Francis Fleming, who runs Spirit of Blues on Twitter and David McBride have set up a GoFundMe for Paula's family.

Paula's brother-in-law Jack said: "This is very humbling from us all and the family wants to offer thanks to them."

To donate to the GoFundMe page, please click here.

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