'She was our fairy godmother': Louis Tomlinson's mother organised treats for two grieving young girls as she battled her own cancer
- Richard Yallop paid tribute to Johannah Deakin, who died on Wednesday
- They became friends after she asked Zayn Malik to do a video for his daughter
- His wife, Bella, died in 2014, and promised her a One Direction birthday party
- Daughters Emily, 7, and Ruby, 3, then met the band and were given treats
A father whose wife died of Leukemia in 2014 has said Johannah Deakin was a 'fairy godmother'.
Richard Yallop, of Norwich, who lost his wife Bella in 2014, gave a heartfelt tribute to the mother of One Direction's Louis Tomlinson, who died on Wednesday morning.
Johannah, 43, who was also battling the disease, got in contact with Richard in 2014 after his daughters, Ruby, three, and Emily, seven, lost their mother.
Richard Yallop was helped by Johannah Deakin to get a message from Zayn Malik for his daughter, Emily (above)
Richard posted the tribute on his Facebook page on Friday after Johannah's death was annouced
Richard (left) pictured with his daughters Emily (second left) and Ruby (far right)
Emily with Louis (left) when she met him. Emily and Ruby (right) wishing Zayn a happy birthday on Twitter
Richard posted a Facebook message in 2014 appealing for people to help get a message from One Direction to Emily for her sixth birthday in 2015.
His status went viral and was eventually seen by Johannah, who decided to help the cause.
Johannah arranged for Zayn Malik, Emily's favourite member, to record a message for her.
She then invited the family to Louis' charity event, the Cinderella Ball, and gave them VIP tickets to meet the band.
On Facebook, Richard posted: 'Very sad news today that a very good friend of ours and fairy godmother, Johannah Deakin, passed away on Wednesday!
Richard and Johannah became friends after Richard posted a status appealing for support to get a message from Zayn to Emily
Johannah Deakin, pictured with her eldest son and One Direction singer Louis Tomlinson, died on Wednesday
Despite grieving, Louis bravely performed on the X Factor last night with Steve Aoki
'We will never forget this kind, thoughtful lady who made Emilys 1Dream come true, always had time for others and was always inquiring how Emily and Ruby were getting on!
'Our thoughts go out to all Deakin/Tomlinson family and her husband Dan and to all of her children! RIP Jay we will never forget you.'
Speaking to the Mirror, he said: 'It is such a terrible loss. She didn't just help my family, she helped hundreds of families. She was one of those women who could never do enough. She had a heart of gold.
'She was such an amazing, loving person. Last year she even sent Emily and Ruby Christmas cards and presents. She was always so interested in how they were doing and what they were up to at school. She wanted to see pictures of them to see how they were growing up. I think she just really loved children. '
Louis' midwife mother Johannah passed away on Wednesday morning after a battle with Leukemia, it was confirmed in a statement to MailOnline.
She was married to Dan Deakin, a doctor.
As well as Louis, 24, Johannah leaves behind six other children, Lottie, 18, Félicité,, 16, twins Daisy and Phoebe, both 12, and twins Ernest and Doris, both aged two, who she gave birth to prematurely in 2014.
She was also grandmother to Louis' ten-month-old son Freddie.
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