Woman 'devastated' after fiance dies on Cyprus anniversary trip

A woman whose fiance died while on holiday in Cyprus said they had planned to return to the country to marry after falling in love with the island.

Paulo Brockway, 44, from Cardiff, died on 16 September, the day the couple was due to fly home, after suddenly becoming ill.

Kerry Debono said: "I just can't believe it's all happened. I'm absolutely devastated, heartbroken and my heart is in a million pieces."

Debono said the couple had holiday insurance which would pay for the hospital fees and the repatriation of Brockway's body, but added she had set up a fundraiser because she faced paying for a funeral no-one expected.

Debono, from Llanishen in Cardiff, said the Cypriot doctors explained to her Brockway had had a cardiac arrest following pancreatitis, a condition she said was undiagnosed.

"He had so much to live for and he was just gone in the blink of an eye," Debono said.

"He was thriving. We had basically gone to celebrate our three-year anniversary.

"He said, 'this is the place we need to get married'".

The also couple placed a lock on a bridge on the island.

Debono said Brockway left behind a son as well as his mum, sisters and brother, who were "completely heartbroken".

She added she was grateful for the help she had received from the British Embassy.