'We'll never forget our Little Poppy'

The former MKR stars are making sure their daughter's memory and impact continue

- Emma Levett

It was never meant to end like this. Carly Saunders and Tresne Middleton, former stars of My Kitchen Rules, had long dreamed of taking their baby daughter Poppy Grace home from hospital, cured of the leukaemia that had plagued her since she was 11 weeks old.

But after a lifetime of fighting and countless treatments, Poppy Grace passed away on February 16, aged 20 months.

"I lost my brother in 2017 and my mum two years later, but nothing could prepare us for the grief of losing Poppy," Carly tells Woman's Day.

DEVOTED MUMS

During the time Poppy was in hospital, her devoted mums documented her every win and challenge online, and she had wellwishers from all over the world spurring her on.

"She was so tough and happy it didn't matter what was happening," says Carly. "She could have been in surgery or vomited 20 times but afterwards she'd be smiling and laughing with the nurses. She lifted people up even though she was having a hard time she was a special little person."

The Newcastle couple, who spent 534 days in hospital with their daughter and almost two years in isolation with her, suddenly had a whole new world to face. And, without Poppy in it, life didn't feel right anymore.

"Someone broke into our yard and stole from our car the night of Poppy's funeral, so we didn't even feel safe at home," says Carly.