Widow builds children a life-size cardboard cut-out of their dead father

A grieving widow has kept the memory of her dead husband alive for their two children – by creating a life-size cardboard cut-out to live in the family home.

Paul Challis, a father-of-two, died from cancer at just 38, weeks after being diagnosed with two brain tumours.

His wife Maria, 36, was determined that their two children – Jack, seven, and Molly, nine – would not forget his memory so has installed a 6'1" cardboard model in their living room.

The 2D father was a guest at his own funeral and even attended his friend's wedding weeks after his death.

He is pictured at one of his happiest moments holding a bottle of champagne and laughing while on-board a QE2 cruise to Bruges, Belgium, with Maria.

Paul's death had been so shocking to his family and friends Maria decided he was still going to be the heart of the party even in death.

The cut-out was made for Paul's funeral but afterwards his grieving wife could not bear to get rid of it.

She said: "Paul was always the life and soul of the party and it seemed only fitting for him to be there for the final party, his final farewell.

"I think he would have loved it, he would have said, 'why didn't I think of that? ...

via Widow builds children a life-size cardboard cut-out of their dead father - Telegraph.