Deborah James ‘overwhelmed’ as In The Style campaign raises £1million for charity & says fashion range ‘kept her going’
DEBORAH James has told of her joy after her campaign for fashion brand In The Style raised £1million for charity.
The Sun writer, 40, says the range's message of 'Rebellious Hope' "keeps her going" as she receives end-of-life care for bowel cancer.
The cash, which goes to the , comes from the sales of her new range after the whopping success of her first t-shirt design for the company.
Speaking on Instagram today, she said: "Wow! £1million!
"I am honestly so overwhelmed."
She said learned of the "crazy" total after In The Style founder Adam Frisby visited her at her parents' home in Woking, Surrey.
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"We have had a little toast to celebrate it," she wrote.
"I just can’t believe it!
"What’s funny is when In The Style released the first t-shirt we both said how incredible £50,000 raised would be, so for me to still be here and see it’s over £1m is just so incredible!"
Dame Deb said the message on her best-selling t-shirt is hugely significant to her.
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"‘Rebellious Hope’ is what has got me through the last few years and it’s what is keeping me going now!" she said.
"Seeing all your messages, tags and support has just been the best and I am so grateful that we have been able to do this together!"
The mum told The Sun that as her health declines, her greatest comfort is seeing how “incredible” husband Seb is with their children Hugo, 14, and Eloise, 12.
“The biggest thing for me right now, not knowing how long I have left, is that the kids will be okay," she said.
“Seb is a great father, he’s incredible with them both.
'OVERWHELMED'
“I have absolutely no concerns about what will happen to the kids.
“He dotes on them and I know they will want for nothing.
“He loves them so much, and I know that when I’m no longer here, he will love them for me too.”
Reflecting on the men in her life ahead of Father's Day tomorrow, she said: “I can’t stop crying. I’m incredibly lucky, it’s hard to put it all into words.
“For me, this year it’s about my dad and Seb, but it’s also about the men in my life who will hopefully one day be fathers too, my son and brother.
“I can’t really comprehend the fact I won’t be here to see that. It breaks me."
'Rebellious hope' is what has got me through the last few years, and it’s what is keeping me going now
It came as she issued a poignant message for tomorrow and saluted her dad Alistair.
She said she will have a whisky or two with him, hailing him as her "unsung hero".
Deborah left hospital over a month ago to receive hospice at home care.
Given just weeks to live, she was determined to make it count.
The cancer campaigner went into overdrive, raising £6.7m for her BowelBabe Fund.
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And after The Sun mounted a campaign to honour our columnist, Debs was made a Dame in a day — and had Prince William over for tea to celebrate.
TO DONATE to BowelBabe Fund visit
