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Bristol student who lost both parents to cancer graduates

University of Bristol Mollie ChapmanUniversity of Bristol
Mollie Chapman, donning University of Bristol robes, crossed the stage to the cheers of her grandmother and aunt

A university student who lost both her parents to cancer said they would be "insanely proud" to see her graduate.

Mollie Chapman, donning University of Bristol robes, crossed the stage at the Wills Memorial Building on Friday to the cheers of her grandmother and aunt.

The 24-year-old studied for a PGCE, a teacher training qualification, and now teaches English at a secondary school.

She said: "Mum knew I wanted to be a teacher and I know she'd be proud of me."

Mollie, who grew up in Yatton, Somerset, was just 18 months old when her father, Pete Chapman, died with leukaemia at the age of 31.

University of Bristol Mollie Chapman and father Pete ChapmanUniversity of Bristol
When Mollie was born, her father, Pete Chapman, was just a few corridors away in the leukaemia ward

In 2012 as Mollie started secondary school her mother, Jane Chapman, was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Despite being told she only had a year to live, Mollie said her mother was a "fighter" and proved "those doctors wrong".

"She knew that she wanted to see us through school and hopefully to university," she said.

"She managed to see the days that we both got our GCSEs, A-levels and enrolled in university, and I think there was a part of us that thought she would see the day that we graduated too.

"Unfortunately, this couldn't be the case for us."

In 2020, eight years after her diagnosis, she was admitted to a hospice in north Bristol and passed away aged 54.

University of Bristol Mollie Chapman and her mother Jane ChapmanUniversity of Bristol
Despite being told she only had a year to live, Mollie said her mother was a "fighter" and proved "those doctors wrong"

Mollie said her mother was a trooper and her "absolute hero".

"She's been a real inspiration to me. She'd be thinking 'that's my girl', for sure," she said.

"I have faced a lot of adversity in my short time on the planet, but I have never let that get in my way of achieving every single thing that I believe is within my reach.

"And if it's not within my reach, I've got two angels who can give it a kick down to me to help me out."

Prof Tansy Jessop, the University of Bristol's pro vice-chancellor for education and students, said Mollie's success was a "testament to her courage in the face of adversity".

"It's not only her mum and dad who would be 'insanely proud of her' - we are too," he said.

"We salute her determination and character and wish her everything of the best in her teaching career."

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