“Dearest Carly,

There is never a second that I don’t think about you, as I sit here on my own it makes me so very sad remembering all the happy times that we shared together. You were always a home bird and preferred nights at home rather than living it up in a nightclub like others your own age.

You were a very warm person and people found you very easy to get on with and talk to. You had a wicked sense of humour and were always teasing me and playing jokes on me. You had the most beautiful smile and infectious laugh, you always had time for people who didn’t have much in life and you were always helping people less fortunate than you.

You could be stubborn at times when after a tiff with me you wouldn’t make up straightaway but in your own time you would walk over to me, give me one of your caring smiles and give me a big hug and say: “I’m sorry mum.” I’d always reply: “I’m sorry too” and we would burst out laughing, we were more like best friends than mother and daughter.

When you lived in Germany with the father of your children you were so unhappy, the relationship had gone wrong and it was turning into a nightmare for you but you bravely carried on and tried to smile through the heartache.

The biggest loves in your life were your two sons, Sol and Reece, you were so proud of them, they were your whole life and all your hopes and dreams were built around them.

When you were parted from them due to them not being allowed to come back to the UK with you as you were unwell, all that you lived for and prayed for was the day that you would be reunited with them and you planned to make a life for all three of you back home. You did go to visit them in Germany and talked to them on the phone but it wasn’t the same as having them with you.

The cancer was a setback in your eyes and you hated chemotherapy but you fought it bravely. The dream of being with your boys was the one thing that kept you going. After getting strong and well again we continued our fight together to get your boys back home but then by a cruel twist of fate your cancer returned this time in your lungs and it was terminal. For five months I tried to get the authorities in Germany to allow your boys to visit you to say goodbye but promises were made that turned out to be false.

You were treated in the most disgraceful and inhumane way by the powers that be in Germany. You asked me to fight on for your children and I promised you that I would. Your dying words to me were: “Fight, fight, fight mum for them.” After you died I held you in my arms and said:

“Carly, I promise you I will get justice for you and for the cruel and terrible way the system in Germany has treated you.” I was sobbing as I spoke those words to you.

Carly, what has happened should never be allowed to happen to someone else in similar circumstances. You were the innocent victim in all of this. You were a wonderful daughter, a truly wonderful friend but more importantly and above all you were a devoted mum who asked for nothing in life except to be reunited with your boys. And sadly you were denied the chance to hold them one last time to say goodbye. How cruel can the people be who denied you this ?

Your nickname was Bo and as I write this letter I want to tell you my darling Bo that I love you with all my heart and I am in tears as I still wish you were here now sat next to me.

I miss you and your company, in fact I miss everything about you. The memories of you and I trying endlessly to get your children back is always on my mind, as I now stand here alone and carry on the fight to get your wishes fulfilled. In my heart I know that we are always together, a mother’s love never dies, it is eternal.

God Bless

Mum x”