PARENT'S PAIN
GMB’s Ed Balls and Charlotte Hawkins fight back tears as Ashley Cain says he’s ‘still inspired’ by late daughter Azaylia
ED BALL and Charlotte Hawkins blinked away their tears today on Good Morning Britain as Ashley Cain and Safiyaa Vorajee said they are still inspired by their late daughter Azaylia.
Former footballer Ashley's baby Azaylia died from a rare form of leukaemia aged eight months in 2021.
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The proud dad, 32, has spent the time since her passing raising money and awareness around childhood cancer by taking on gruelling challenges.
With his ex Safiyya, he set up that has donated £700,000 to struggling families and ploughed more money into revolutionary treatments and research not previously available in the UK.
Speaking to GMB hosts Ed and Charlotte, who are parents themselves, Ashley said: "Azaylia, she taught us the true meaning of strength. She taught us how to feel courage, she taught us how to smile even on our toughest of days.
"I think it's the lessons that we learnt from Azaylia are what we want to spread to the world now, to lift, not only these children fighting cancer, but everyone in this world to bring people together, as a community because we believe that love can conquer all.
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"The foundations is inspired by Azaylia, it’s driven by us and the community power it."
Viewers were just as moved as Ed and Charlotte, and took to Twitter to say so.
One penned: "Ashley Cain.. what an inspirational, powerful & amazing man. He’s broke me this morning."
Azaylia spent most of her short life in and out of hospital as her parents fought to raise enough funds to send her abroad for potentially life saving cancer treatment.
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However she became too weak to be able to make the journey and died in April 2021.
Her story was followed by the former couple's huge social media following and media.
Speaking of becoming a mum, Safiyya told GMB: "Azaylia lit my heart up.
";It was the best moment that I ever experienced being a mother. She was incredible an inspiration.
"What helps me no is going into the hospitals, helping them helps me.
"Because of Azaylia and the inspiration she gives me on a daily basis, it just fuels me to help the rest of the nation who are struggling, and to create kindness."
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