A 25-year-old aspiring nurse from Gillingham, Kent, has died after going to hospital with kidney stones. Sharlie-Jaye Sleney, who was studying at Canterbury Christ Church University to become a nurse, passed away on October 2.
Sharlie was admitted to intensive care in June after the kidney stones led to sepsis. She was placed on life support following multiple organ failure. Although she recovered and returned home, she continued to struggle with her health and was later diagnosed with post-sepsis syndrome.
Friend remembers 'bubbly' Sharlie
Close friend Dolly Hunt paid tribute, saying: "Sharlie was just so lovely and bubbly. She would literally light up any room. She never had a bad word to say about anybody. Everyone loved Sharlie. She was such a bubbly girl. Nobody could dim her sparkle. She was one of a kind."
Sharlie, who worked as an NHS community carer for Medway Community Healthcare, had reached her second year of university. Despite her illness, Dolly said she always tried to make the most of life and spend time with the people she loved.
Passion for helping others
Sharlie had always been passionate about helping others, distributing bags of essential items to homeless people and organising events to raise money for mental health charity Mind. Dolly, an aesthetics practitioner, said: "She put a million per cent into everything. Nothing was ever half-hearted with Sharlie."
Dolly added: "Sharlie would always make time for anyone who made time for her. I've told Sharlie's mum that I will never let Sharlie's memory die. It will live forever."
Family's tribute and fundraising appeal
Dolly said the family now wants Sharlie to be remembered for the happy, caring young woman she was, rather than the illness she endured during the final months of her life. A report concerning Sharlie's death is being sent to the coroner.
Dolly has launched a GoFundMe page to help cover funeral expenses and give Sharlie a fitting farewell. The fundraising page describes Sharlie, affectionately known as "Auntie Shar Shar", as someone who brought laughter and warmth to everyone around her.
It reads: "Sharlie was bright, bubbly and so loved. She brought laughter and warmth to those around her, and her loss has left a space that can never be filled. She was working towards a future caring for others, with so much life still ahead of her."
The appeal explains that donations will help ease the financial burden on Sharlie's family as they prepare to say goodbye. Dolly added: "We just want Sharlie to have the best send-off possible."
Sharlie leaves behind her mum Sherry, dad Martin, step-dad Stu, younger sister Skye and boyfriend Declan.
