FIVE children have become orphans days after their dad expressed his fears for their future before he lost his battle to bowel cancer.
Omena Ubiaro, 38, died earlier this morning in a Wolverhampton hospice, ahead of his wifeโs funeral โ who died of the same disease two months earlier.
Mr Ubiaro spent his final months raising money for his five children aged seven to 19 โ fearing they would become orphans.
His wife Makeda Ubiaro, 38, died on 29 July this year after she was diagnosed with bowel cancer in August 2016.
The devoted dadโs gofundme page has now almost reached ยฃ30,000.
Family friend, Charles Busari, posted on the page this afternoon: โIt breaks my heart to report that sadly our dear brother Omena has lost his fight to cancer at the early hours of Monday 4th September 2017.
โI would like to offer a heartfelt โTHANK YOUโ to everyone who have contributed so far financially, with prayers and with words of encouragement.
โUnfortunately our worst fears have been confirmed and we now need your donations now more than ever to support the children. No amount is too small as little streams make mighty oceans.โ
In a heartbreaking video filmed before his death, the dad thanked those who have supported his family as he lay hooked up to machines in a hospital bed.
He said: โRecently, myself and my five boys weโve just lost my wife, theyโve lost a mother and Iโve also lost a best friend as well.
โItโs been difficult for the boys, itโs been difficult for myself.
โI cannot lie it has been the most toughest thing that a husband and a fatherโs ever had to face or deal with but itโs only been easier with support and help from friends.โ
As part of the appeal, Omena said the death of his beloved wife and ongoing fight against cancer is the โtoughest thingโ he has ever dealt with.
Omena and Makeda met as teenagers while studying at St Francis Xavier College in Clapham, South London.
They married in 2004 and moved to Birmingham in 2009.
Tributes have been pouring in for the tragic couple and five boys they leave behind.
Abi Babalola said: โMay God comfort your children. May they be pleased in the fact that they had amazing parents even for such a short time. May they be comforted and honour your legacy as the years progress.โ
Linda Okeke added: โOmena, we bonded over diet and fitness. You fought so very hard. No more pain. May you and your dear wife Makeda rest in perfect peace.โ
The couple renewed their wedding vows in 2014 when Omena was diagnosed with Stage 4 colorectal cancer.
Omenaโs best friend Femi Iloyi, 40, told Mirror Online: โHe is so determined to stay alive for his children.
โThis appeal is so important โ if Omena dies that leaves their five children so we are trying to help the family.โ
