Doting dad of triplets tragically dies aged 35, leaving four children under the age of four in Milton Keynes

Tragic Marta Sparshott watched her husband Steve battle with a rare cancer for 18 months, since shortly after their triplets Sophie, Ellie and Penny were born.

While the premature baby girls were still in hospital, doctors broke the news to Steve that he had a sarcoma tumour on his spine and needed extensive surgery and aggressive chemotherapy.

Despite constant treatment, which even included the latest Proton beam therapy radiotherapy, Steve learned late last year that the cancer had spread throughout his bone marrow and was in his liver and his lungs.

With weeks to live, one of his last wishes was to marry Marta - something the couple had planned to do before the Covid pandemic struck.

On December 8, the couple said their vows at a tiny ceremony at the civic offices register office. The following day Steve was admitted to hospital and then, shortly afterwards, to Willen Hospice.

"Due to Covid restrictions, only Marta was allowed to see him. We had to video call with the little girls so he could see their face," said Steve's sister-in-law Shoshana Toli.

"This was too difficult for Steve to handle, as all he wanted was to be with his family and to spend his last few days with his beautiful girls. With his last wishes in mind, he was discharged on January 7. "

Steve, a previously fit and healthy man whose passion was climbing mountains in Wales, passed away five days later, on January 12, at his city estate home with his family at his side. It was five weeks after his wedding day.

"It is just heartbreaking. Marta is amazing, she is like a superwoman. But she is now left with four little girls to bring up without their daddy," said Shoshana.

The triplets, who were conceived naturally - much to Steve and Marta's delight - are 19 months old. Their sister Annie, short for Anastazja, is just four.

"The triplets are too young to understand why their daddy isn't there any more, but Annie keeps asking questions and insists he's coming back. Ever since the triplets were born, Steve spent long periods of time in hospital - but he always came home again.

"Annie won't accept it when her mummy tells her he's in heaven. She says 'you're lying, daddy is coming back'. It's just too sad for words."

Shoshana's fiance, Steve's brother Michael Sparshott, said: "In reality there are no words to describe the pain and devastation this story holds. The pandemic has masked many stories just like this one and with everyone focussed on the virus within our communities, cancer has been hidden in the shadows."

Marta's family are in Poland and her mum lives in Germany and is yet allowed to visit due to Covid travel restrictions. Shoshana and Michael live in Milton Keynes, as does Steve's mum Sue.

"We will all do all whatever we can to help. We are determined to be a very special aunt and uncle to Steve's girls. He was so proud of them all and so delighted to have triplets - though it was a real surprise when they found out there were three babies on the way. Two of them are identical twins and they are the spitting image of him," said Shoshana.

Steve's funeral is to be held on February 5. His dying wish was that he be cremated and his ashes turned into jewellery for his girls.

"Steve never wanted to have any fuss made over him and was adamant that he did not want any money spent on flowers and cards, etc. We have been contacted by lots of Steve’s loved ones about how they can help us so we have decided to set up this GoFundMe for those that wish to donate towards Steve’s funeral costs and to help towards supporting his family," said Michael.

A building site manager, Steve had no life insurance. Marta, who worked as a warehouse operative before having the babies, is struggling to work out how she will ever cover childcare costs and go back to work.

"Already a local nursery has stepped in and let Annie go there for free a couple of afternoons a week. They take the triplets for a time once a week so that Marta can have a break. They've been wonderful," said Shoshana.

"But Marta has a house to run, bills to pay and four little girls to bring up. We're hoping the GoFundMe page will raise a little extra so life will be a bit easier for them."

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