Obituary: Family devastated by new dad’s Tom Thornton death

Photo: Oldham Chronicle

Tom and Chantelle in their brief time of happiness

Tom Thornton has lost his battle with cancer aged 25 — only three weeks after the birth of his son.

Tom, who lived in Middleton, set up home with his girlfriend Chantelle last year and enjoyed his dream job as a personal trainer.

At the end of November their world was shattered when Tom was diagnosed with terminal cancer.

Tom proposed to Chantelle and they married on 20 December. Their son Maxwell was born on 6 January and by 28 January Tom was dead, only nine weeks after his diagnosis.

Chantelle and baby Maxwell moved into Springhill Hospice to stay with him during his final weeks.

“There are absolutely no words to describe the pain, emptiness and heartbreak I feel right now,” said Chantelle. “With time to grieve I only pray it gets easier.”

Tom’s friends have set up the Tom Thornton Foundation Trust to raise money for his family.

Mum Vanessa said: “Tom was an amazing, inspirational young man with everything to live for. He touched so many lives in so many ways.”

The trust is hoping to raise up to £50,000 over the next 12 months.