A WIDOWER has told of his heartbreak at not getting to say goodbye to his wife who died suddenly following a bone marrow transplant.

Geoff Braterman and his two children rushed to the bedside of Nikki on March 21 after she fell critically ill just days after what was supposed to be a lifesaving operation.

But the 45-year-old from Brighton had already passed away.

Initially diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia in December 2013, her death signalled the end of a brave battle during which she set up a bone marrow register website.

Mr Braterman was speaking ahead of an appearance at a special NHS Labour Party event tomorrow.

The event, hosted by Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Brighton Pavilion Purna Sen, will also feature Harry Leslie Smith – a 92-year-old author, activist and staunch defender of the NHS.

Mr Braterman told The Argus that although the grief of losing his wife was still “too raw,” but the upcoming General Election was too close to not get involved.

He said: “Sunday’s event is part of Labour’s General Election campaign, locally focusing on Brighton Pavilion. The main attraction is Harry Lesley Smith. He spoke movingly about his own experience in a time before the first Labour government set up the NHS and welfare state in 1948.

“He can speak directly about what life was like and could be like again without the NHS and basic social security. I myself have not been very active in the General Election campaign because I’ve had to focus on caring for Nikki and looking after our children. But I am politically engaged and I’ve made no secret about being a member of the Labour Party.

“But although I only recently lost Nikki, and my grief is still too raw, the election is too close for me to be sitting outside in its entirety so I made a decision to share my family’s story, our positive experiences of the NHS and why it’s important to defend it.

“I believe the next few weeks could shape the future of the NHS – for my children, for my family, and for everybody else.”

Harry Leslie Smith will speak about the poverty of his past, the problems of the present, and the future of the UK after the General Election. With 92 years of experience to draw on, the Labour Party says he is “fighting to make sure his past doesn’t become our future”.

The event will begin at 2.30pm at Community Base in Queen’s Road, Brighton. Tickets are free but booking is required. Call 01273 331133 for more information.