Kind-hearted readers yesterday continued to give their overwhelming support to Dame Esther Rantzen in her bid see out her days on her own terms – as she spent what could be her last Christmas with close family.
A flood of letters and emails poured into the Daily Express during the Yuletide period, universally backing the 83-year-old presenter’s wish for dignity in death.
Dame Esther, who is terminally ill with stage four lung cancer, has created a national debate as she fights to legalise assisted dying, backing the paper’s own crusade to force a change in the law.
And compassionate readers – many clearly deeply moved by her plight – continued to flood the paper’s inbox with heartfelt messages for Dame Esther, wishing her a Happy Christmas and throwing their unbridled support behind her.
Sue Woolnough wrote: “You are such an inspiration, Dame Esther. You have achieved so much in your life and helped and supported so many vulnerable children and adults through Childline and Silverline. “Even now at this difficult time in your life, you are still continuing to campaign on behalf of us all. We are all so grateful to you.
“I fully support your stand on Assisted Dying. Thinking of you and your family this Christmas.” Reader Catherine Saxton also sent her support.
“I completely support your fight to get dying with dignity acceptable. Like you I have joined, around 3years ago,” she wrote.
“I have always believed it is every person’s right to make that choice, but the death from cancer of my partner three ago prompted me to act. I do hope you manage to get the end of life care that you desire and I wish you a peaceful journey to the end. Sending love and prayers.”
Reader Charles Duckworth, like so many others, wanted to thank Dame Esther for her tireless campaigning over the years.
He wrote: “First, thank you for everything you have done for the people of this country over many years. “Principally, it would be my privilege and honour to support you in your quest for a dignified end, without the fear of threat of litigation towards anybody who loves you enough to help you achieve your desires, and to me this seems like most of the country.
“May God bless you, and give you and your family strength going forward.”
Countless others agreed.
Muriel Scutt wrote: “For so many years you have successfully campaigned on behalf of people less fortunate. I salute you and wish you fortitude in your personal battle.
“I will, of course, join your campaign for Assisted Dying. I couldn’t agree more, having watched both my parents suffer unnecessarily before they died.
“It is something nobody should have to endure. Cruelty beyond words. My good wishes go to you and your family.”
Emotional Dame Esther herself said the ongoing outpouring of love and support from Daily Express readers has given her “strength when I need it most”. Yesterday, the redoubtable campaigner spent Christmas Day with her nearest and dearest for a seasonal family occasion that none thought possible when she received her diagnosis back in January. Daughter Rebecca, 43, welcomed her siblings, Dame Esther’s two other children from her marriage to the late Desmond Wilcox, Miriam and Joshua, together with her beloved grandchildren, Benji, 11, and Alexander, 8, Teddy, 8, and twins Florence and Romilly, 5.
Dame Esther supports this newspaper’s Give Us Our Last Rights campaign, which has fought for a change in the law on assisted dying.
