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Neighbours of the late 'Octomum' Mandy Allwood, 56, have told of her troubled final days as she tragically battled alcoholism and cancer and said tragically the neighbourhood will be 'better off without her.'
Mandy had first made headlines around the world 26 years ago when she fell pregnant with eight children aged 31 in 1996.
Tragically at 24 weeks, Mandy gave birth to six boys and two girls over three days and three nights – but each of the babies died in a matter of hours.
Mandy went on to have three more children but neighbours and friends said she "never recovered" from the trauma of losing her babies.
Neighbours of Mandy in Stratford-upon-Avon said the area would be a much quieter place without her.
They revealed how she battled booze demons and accidentally flooded her property on several occasions.
One neighbour, who would only give her name as Sue, said she often helped Mandy when she could as she felt sorry for her.
Sue added: "I didn't know her very well because she was a bit of a funny person, she was an alcoholic so she could be a bit in your face.
"I tried to give her what she needed and help. It was a shame, I felt sorry for her – but it was just too much to handle. It is a bit of a relief.
"She flooded the flat underneath her when she overfilled her bath. The guy in the flat below couldn't do anything to stop it.
"It wasn't that she did it intentionally, she was just so drunk."
Mandy's home could be seen today (February 4) covered in chaotic and colourful decorations with her front door labelling her flat "the manor".
Another neighbour, who did not want to be named, said: "She was certainly a character, to say the least, but she never recovered from what happened to her.
"You can't even imagine the trauma she went through so its understandable I suppose but she did have her struggles with the bottle.
"It will certainly be quieter around here, she was rather eccentric. Despite her problems, she had a heart of gold."
Mandy previously told how she spiralled into depression and suffered from suicidal thoughts in the years after her babies died in her arms.
But she revealed that secret meetings with Princess Diana, who personally comforted her, is what got her through her darkest days.
Mandy said: "She came to meet me when I was staying at the Ritz and the Dorchester in London. She was absolutely lovely.
"I never really got the chance to say thank you to her properly.
For emotional support, you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email [email protected], visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website.
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"She gave me a hug, showed me lots of support and told me she liked my dress.
"When we first met she said to me 'thank you for keeping me off the front pages for a change.'
"It was a massive boost for me."
Mandy continued to mark the anniversaries of the death of her children – Kypros, Adam, Martyn, Cassius, Nelson, Donald, Kitali and Layne – by visiting their graves alone.
She said: "They are always in my mind and I think about them every single day.
"I have good days and bad days but I'm feeling a lot better.
"I feel happy and positive about the future."
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- Neighbours
- Princess Diana
- Cancer
- London
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