Hednesford mother who was told she might never walk or have kids has died
A mother who overcame the odds to walk and have children has died aged 45.
Carol Fittes was told as a child, due to a number of medical conditions, she might never walk or have children. She died at Compton Hospice on Sunday after a battle with cancer, leaving behind her two children. Her prosthetic leg, which she needed after having an amputation aged 12 to be able to walk, is being donated to the Royal British Legion.
In 2006 Mrs Fittes, from Hednesford, Staffordshire, was named as the UK’s most exceptional working mum, scooping the award in recognition of overcoming a disability to run a public relations firm as well as being a mum to two young boys.
She was the joint managing director at Cannock-based agency the Marketing Room as well as chairing Hednesford in Partnership and running women’s networking group WINGS. She had also recently set up Creative Souls Marketing.
Mrs Fittes married her husband Andy, the general secretary of the Police Federation, in August last year and had two sons, Morgan, 19, and Dylan, 17, as well as two step-daughters, Madeline, 16, and Lola, 14.
A former Kingsmead School pupil in Hednesford, Mrs Fittes was known for being a driving force for community improvement.
Her Hednesford in Partnership colleague Lesley Yates said: “Carol was so passionate and was the initial driving force that ensured the success of Hednesford in Partnership.
“She was totally committed to getting the best for Hednesford, and her dedication, positive outlook and enthusiasm will be greatly missed.”
Mrs Fittes funeral will be held at Hednesford’s Trinity Church at a date and time to be confirmed. Her family have requested that rather than buying flowers, people make a donation to Wolverhampton’s Compton Hospice where she was cared for after leaving New Cross Hospital.
Her friend and business partner Linda Aitchison said: “I am truly blessed to have known, loved and worked all these years with my amazing friend who has been at my side in good times and bad. The speed of her illness has been devastating.
"Carol had found such happiness with Andy so very recently. But her kindness, love, determination and spirit will live on thanks to the sheer volume of people she has helped who remember her with deep love and gratitude.”
Another of Mrs Fittes' passions was business networking and she was a former area leader of the Staffordshire 4Networking groups and a member at Business Network International in Wolverhampton. She was also a member at Business for Breakfast in Lichfield.
Mr Fittes is raising money for Cancer Research in Carol’s name throughout June. His fundraising page, which has raised more than £2,600, is available at fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/warrior-princess-take-my-strength
