Dad dies days before Christmas after benefits stop - and leaves daughter a present

A distraught woman whose father killed himself a few days before Christmas after his benefits ended has revealed he ordered gifts for his children before his death.

Kevin Dooley had ordered walkie-talkies for his granddaughter and daughter as Christmas presents - his daughter Leanne believing it was his way of keeping in touch from heaven.

Father-of-three Kevin, 48, took his own life after his performances ended in December 2018. Leanne had seen him hours earlier and discovered his body later.

The mum-of-three bravely celebrated Christmas for the sake of her young daughters - and now remembers her dad every Christmas with a tribute ball on his tree.

Daughter Leanne spoke of her devastation (

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Leanne met the Shadow Home Secretary in Parliament last month to advocate for changes to the way disabled claimants are treated by the DWP.

Leanne, mum to Cara, 12, Scarlet, 10, and Willow, 2, says: "The day my dad hanged himself, I visited him, but I was really in a hurry because Christmas was coming up and I was at work and rushing to pick up my kids from school.

"I didn't hug him or tell him I loved him. This will always haunt me.

“A few hours later, I came back to find that he had hanged himself. I hope everyone who reads my story hugs the people they love this Christmas. You never know when you'll run out of time.

"After dad died, I found out he ordered gifts for my daughters, walkie-talkies, to deliver to my house. I like to think that was his way of keeping in touch from heaven."

Leanne and her children continue to celebrate Christmas, but it is tinged with sadness (

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