Pars share Dean Brett's grief

The Pars Supporters Trust have set up a means to support Dean at this time, details below.

Pars fans have shared the shock Cowdenbeath defender Dean Brett has experienced by the death of Gemma Porteous, 22, his partner of six years.

Gemma, from Musselburgh, was diagnosed with cancer of the spine just weeks after the death of four-week-old Mollie – who was born prematurely with sister Mia.

The young mum was admitted to Edinburgh’s Western General for an operation in September and had been in hospital ever since, managing day trips out of the ward and finishing a round of chemotherapy at the start of December.

She was able to spend Mia’s first Christmas and New Year at home and the family were optimistic about the year ahead. But her condition worsened last week, and she died in hospital.

Gemma and Dean had been trying to overcome their devastation at Mollie’s death when the shock diagnosis last September sent their world spinning once again. The new mum, just 22 years old, had been struggling with a sore back, and what she first dismissed as a minor ailment was soon diagnosed as a rare spinal tumour.

She went into the Western General for an operation in September – and remained there until Mia’s first Christmas, when she was allowed to go home to Tranent and spend delightful hours marking the festivities with her family.

Indeed, Gemma and Dean spent her brief homecomings on Christmas Day and Hogmanay plotting a fresh start in the new year ahead of them.

But, three weeks on from that day which was full of hope and promise, Dean, also just 22, is coming to terms with his girlfriend’s death after Gemma passed away on Tuesday.

Dean and Mia are now living with his parents in Tranent, and with Gemma’s family close by in Musselburgh and Prestonpans, his support network as he brings up his daughter is strong.

Alex Anderson, chief executive of Cowdenbeath FC, said that the news of Gemma’s death had devastated everybody at the club.

Confirming that its defender was now on compassionate leave, Mr Anderson said: “It has hit everybody at the club, including the players, very hard. It’s very, very sad news. The club will support Dean and the families in any way that we can.”

The Pars Supporters have indicated that they should raise some funds to try to help Dean through this really difficult time, and the Board of the Pars Supporters' Trust (PST) have agreed to use their Bank Account to receive any donations which people want to give. PST have started a discussion with Cowdenbeath FC to see what else we can do to assist. Margaret Ross of the PST said "I am sure that Dean will be grateful for any financial or other support we can give him right now."

If you want to donate, you can transfer money to the PST account - please ensure that your reference is Dean Brett together with your name.

The PST bank details are :
Bank of Scotland
Sort Code : 80 06 55
A/C no : 00662309