- Jane Plume, 41, was left devastated by death of her best friend Gina Hibberd
- Became carer for her husband, who had terminal cancer, and their two sons
- The boys' father Shaun Hibberd died two years later at the age of 40
- Mother-of-three has welcomed Lewis and Ashton into her own family
A selfless mother-of-three left devastated when her best friend died in a car crash has welcomed her now orphaned sons into her own family.
When Gina Hibberd was tragically killed in a car accident in 2010, her best friend Jane Plume, 41, quit her job to care for Gina's husband Shaun - who had been diagnosed with terminal cancer - and their two boys.
As Mr Hibberd's condition deteriorated, Ms Plume pledged to take care of Lewis, now 14, and Ashton, now seven, after their father was gone.
Extended family: Lewis Hibberd, Marco Plume, Jane Plume, Millie Plume, Annie-Mae Richardson and Ashton Hibberd enjoy breakfast together at home in Loughborough
Double tragedy: Best friends Gina (left) and Jane (right) are pictured above left on the day Gina renewed her wedding vows with husband Shaun, above right with his wife, following his cancer diagnosis
When Mr Hibberd died last November, Ms Plume even moved her two youngest children into the Hibberds' family home in Loughborough, Leicestershire, to limit the upheaval on the heartbroken boys.
Ms Plume, who said Gina's husband had asked her to make sure the boys were cared for after he was gone, said: 'I had talked to my own children about taking care of Lewis and Ashton, and there was no doubt about it.
'The kids were already close because Gina and I were friends for so long, so they were like brothers and sisters anyway.
'I didn’t think twice about taking them on - Gina was my best friend and I would have done anything for her.
'It was devastating when Shaun asked me to take care of the kids when he had gone, but everyone knew that would be the best thing for the children. I’m glad I could do her this one last favour.'
Heartbreak: Ashton Hibberd is pictured with his mother, Gina, in a family photograph taken before she was tragically killed in a car accident
Promise: Jane, seen left with Ashton, Lewis, and the boys' father (right) meeting Leicester Tigers player George Chuter, quit her job to care for Gina's family after her death
Selfless: When her best friend Gina Hibberd was killed in a car accident, Jane Plume (centre holding album) quit her job to care for Gina's sons Lewis (left) and Ashton (second right), and their father, who had cancer
Upheaval: After the boys' father died last November, Jane moved herself and her two youngest children, Millie, right, and Annie-Mae, second from right, into her late best friend's family home to try and minimise the impact on the grieving brothers
When HGV driver Shaun Hibberd was diagnosed with lung cancer in June 2009, his wife Gina, a PA, was devastated and turned Ms Plume, her friend of 14 years, for support.
The couple set about organising a renewal of vows to help take their mind off the blow, but the coming months would heap further tragedy on the family.
Mrs Hibberd had been on her way to work at her new job when she was involved in a horrific car smash which killed both drivers at the scene.
Ms Plume said: 'I couldn’t believe it when Shaun called me to tell me the news.
'I went into complete shock and just kept focusing on caring for Shaun and the boys and organising the funeral.
'Telling Lewis and Ashton was so hard and trying to explain to a five-year-old that their mother had died was horrible.
'It was such a terrible time for everyone as we had all lost someone that was so close to us.'
After organising the funeral Ms Plume knew she would have to do more to help care for Mr Hibberd as his condition worsened.
Loving mother: Ashton is pictured in his mother's arms on the day his parents renewed their wedding vows
'I have a part of her with me': Jane, right with Gina, said her three children were already close to Lewis and Ashton because their mothers had been friends for so long
Support: Ms Plume said the children were as close as siblings before tragedy struck as she and Gina had been friends for so long
'Shaun was in and out of hospital for treatment and so I had no other choice but to quit my job and become his full-time carer.
'I didn’t think twice about it and just changed from making a meal for me and my own children to making enough to feed Shaun and the children.
'Watching Shaun go through cancer was horrible but he was so well looked after in the hospital.'
Heartbreak: Ms Plume said while the set-up may seem strange to some, 'it works for us'
When it became clear Mr Hibberd was not going to get better, he began discussing the boys' future with his late wife's close friend.
Ms Plume said she discussed things with her own three children, Marco Plume, now 19, Millie Plume, now 17, and Annie-Mae Richardson, now seven, before reassuring Mr Hibberd his sons would be taken care of.
'We knew what was coming and we wanted to be prepared for it all,' she said.
'Having lost Gina it was awful knowing we were going to lose Shaun and all I kept thinking about was how the boys must be feeling going through all this.
'It was hard to comfort them while I was also grieving myself but I found it easy to talk about it all with them and go through things together.
'I often get Ashton pointing at the stars and asking if that’s his mummy and daddy and so it’s good to know that he still thinks about them.'
After Lewis and Ashton's father died, Ms Plume decided the boys should remain in their family home, so she and her daughters Millie and Annie-Mae moved in.
She left her son, Marco, living at her home.
'To other people looking in we must just look like a large family. The kids all get along well and care for each other like any other brothers and sisters.
'It may seem like a strange set-up to some, but for us it works and it keeps us all settled and comfortable.
'Caring for Shaun and the boys made me realise what a great job the hospital did, and I’m now training in holistic therapy so hopefully I can help people who are suffering just like Shaun was.'
'Like sisters': Ms Plume says she knows best friend Gina would have done 'exactly the same for her'
Grief: Gina, pictured with Shaun on the couple's last holiday together, had been coping with the news of her husband's cancer diagnosis when she was killed in the car accident
Her life has changed beyond recognition since her best friend's death, but Ms Plume is adamant she is only doing what any true friend would.
'If it had been the other way round I know Gina would have done exactly the same for me,' she said.
'We were just like sisters and we saw each other every day.
'I think Gina would be happy with the arrangement we have and I know the children are all happy with how we are.
'There isn’t a day goes by that I don’t miss her but at least I have a part of her with me in her sons.'
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