A 54-year-old grandmother from Newcastle who is suffering from ovarian cancer has received the surprise news that she will receive £71,000 in critical illness cover from her life insurance company. This development ends a difficult three-year fight to try and get her insurers to pay-up.

She was told she would receive the money when her insurers called her to tell her that they would pay out the critical illness cover money.

The former supermarket worker commented, “It was so out of the blue. I hadn’t heard anything these last few weeks and then to hear about this on the phone was unreal.

“I thought it must have been some kind of joke. I never thought they would pay out. I’d pretty much given up.

“It’s been a long struggle, but thank God it’s all come to an end.”

She also spoke of how the insurance payout would make a real difference to her family, “I’m just so pleased the money’s come through. I was so worried the family might not have been able to cope after I’m gone but now I can pay off the mortgage.”

Throughout her fight, the grandmother of four was supported by her local MP Denis Murphy. He commented, “This is a great result. We have been campaigning very hard on this.

“I’ve been told the meeting is unnecessary because they have settled the claim in full. I’m delighted.” 

But, for now, she will put the critical illness cover win at the back of her mind, saying, “I can’t really enjoy the money because I’m still having chemotherapy. But it’s a fantastic feeling to know I’ll have the security I was always entitled to.”