“My sister was from Sparta,” Susie Angelakos told Neos Kosmos, in reference to the resilience of her sister Vicky Charalambous who battled with cancer for eight years. She paints the picture of a heroic woman who fought the illness to the end before leaving behind three children. But there’s more than just one heroic woman surrounding the Angelakos children because Aunt Susie stepped in to raise the children following her sister’s death, which was followed by the death of her brother-in-law Eric during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The community rushed to help with a Go Fund Me page, but at the end of the day, it was Aunt Susie who was left to fend for these children, going from being single to suddenly becoming a guardian of three. Despite struggling to make tough decisions and living day-to-day with three amazing teenagers, she told Neos Kosmos she wouldn’t have it any other way. After two deaths – or because of them – she wants Angelique to have the very best 18th birthday she could possible have.
“It’s not just about the birthday,” Ms Angelakos said, pointing to restrictions at her brother-in-law’s funeral that only allowed ten people to attend. After so many difficulties, Angelique’s milestone birthday is a chance for the children to find a sense of normalcy.
“She is the oldest of the three. It will be an emotional time considering what the family have been through,” she said.
READ MORE: Eric and Vicky Charalambous pass away leaving behind their three children
A party for Angelique seems like a simple enough request, however times are tough for the single mother of three, who has been undertaking renovations at the children’s family home in the hope of renting it out as a source of funds to help raise the children. Ms Angelakos asked for the community to help, knowing how important the birthday would be for Angelique and the joy it would also bring in the lives of Connor, 13 and little Riahna, 11, “who likes to keep to herself”.
“They need to know that life goes on and has happy moments too,” she said.
Ms Angelakos put up a post on Facebook, and that was when everyday heroes started coming out of the woodwork. Filli Kaoullas, no stranger to tragedy after her husband Andy survived a brain tumour, had been so moved by Ms Angelakos’ selflessness in caring for the children that she hopped on board and offered a marquee. “We met for the first time last Saturday, and I just wanted her to know she’s not alone,” said Ms Kaoullas who shared the need for a party for Angelique on social media and made sure that it got traction.
She’s been gathering money for Angelique, birthday cards, all to show the young girl that she is supported. “She’s 18! She may want to buy something for herself,” Ms Kaoullas said.
Maria Theodorou, event planner from Pop It! Balloons and Events got a screenshot of Ms Kaoullas’ message from family friend Arthur Kokkinias. “I’m a mum so I feel no child should really go through something as tragic as that. My heart went out to them,” she said.
Ms Kaoullas reached out to Angela Babatsias from Blo Bar and asked if she could to Angelique’s hair and make up for the day. “When I heard the story, I said, ‘Yes, for sure’, and not just Angelique. Tell all of them to come. Kudos to the aunt. What a warrior!” Ms Babatsias said.
Angelique, studying to be a hairdresser, was deeply moved and emotional after seeing strangers chip in with messages and money so she could have a great birthday. She is not just having one party, but two. “One is for family members, limited to 50, and the other is for Angelique’s friends who are restricted to 100 due to COVID-19,” Ms Angelakos said, glad to be able to offer this great memory to Angelique, who turns 18 on 17 May. She hopes, in this way, to also honour the late Eric and Vicky Charalambous but also celebrate how far she’s come with the help of grandparents doing the rounds, her employer’s understanding and the support of strangers, sending gifts for Angelique via the Go Fund Me page or helping out with their services. Proof that everyday heroes are everywhere – sometimes, all it takes to find one, is to look in the mirror.
“I’ve learnt a lot,” Ms Angelakos said, referring to her experience. “I’ve learnt to try and be patient. We’re making do.”