THE heartbroken mum of Bankie teacher Caroline Hope who died after being flown home from Turkey to receive treatment for an infection has paid tribute to her “wonderful daughter”.

Catherine Hope told of her daughter’s bravery in her final days as she battled colon cancer and E.Coli in the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital’s high dependency unit – even joking with pals to stop chatting so she could sleep.

Tragically, the 37-year-old lost her battle at 9am on Sunday, August 13, surrounded by her closest friends.

Catherine, who lives in Clydebank, told the Post: “I never thought I would be in this situation. You always think you’ll go before your children.

“I just missed her passing – the taxi driver should have got a medal. I don’t know how he never got a ticket – but I cuddled her. She was still warm.

“She was such a wonderful daughter, I never had any trouble with her.

“She never disappointed me. Anytime I wanted something done she would say ‘leave it to me, mum’.”

Caroline grew up in Barrie Quadrant and attended Kilbowie Primary School before moving on to Clydebank High School.

She went on to gain her degree at Glasgow Caledonian University and worked in the insolvency industry before deciding she wanted a change of pace.

Caroline embarked on an intensive training course at Glasgow University to enabled her to teach English abroad, having picked up the travel bug from mum Catherine.

Catherine said: “It’s my fault. When I worked in Singers I decided I wanted to go to Vancouver in Canada where I could ski.

“I did a working holiday there for two years. I was 23.”

Catherine went on to live all over Europe and in Hong Kong, which inspired Caroline and older brother Scott, who resides in South Africa, to take the leap.

After a few holidays to Turkey, and the added reassurance of having family in the country, Caroline set up home there where she remained for four years.

Jade Baumer has been best pals with Caroline since they were six years old, having grown up next door to each other.

The flight attendant, who now lives in London, told of the fun-filled memories she shared with the teacher and how she will be remembered for her wit, fun personality and, most of all, her loyalty.

She said: “She was such a bright, bubbly character. She was the kind of girl to light up a room. We were like sisters.

“She would do anything for her friends, she was always there for us.”

As previously reported in the Post, Caroline was diagnosed with colon cancer in January and had underwent treatment to cure the disease.

But things took a turn for the worse when she returned to hospital for one final treatment before planning to return home to Scotland permanently.

Caroline contracted E.coli and a further treatment to rid her body of the disease resulted in a ruptured bowel.

Speaking of her daughter’s diagnosis, Catherine said: “She said she got a fright, but she was so positive.”

Jade added: “She never showed any fear or worry. She was determined she was going to beat it.”

The family embarked on a mission to raise the eye-watering £29,000 to bring her home – and the target was smashed with £32,420 being raised within days.

She was flown home in a private plane on July 10 and was taken to the Govan-based hospital where she remained until her death.

The family expressed their thanks to the staff at the unit for their “incredible care” during Caroline’s treatment and those who donated to help bring her home.

“It was amazing. I can’t thank people enough for bringing my daughter home,” Catherine said. “It meant so much to her”.

Caroline’s funeral will take place on Tuesday, August 22, at Dalnottar Crematorium at 2.30pm.

Paying tribute, MSP Gil Paterson said: “My condolences to her family, who have not only lost a loved one, but have had to endure a terrible ordeal in returning Caroline to Scotland where she could be treated.”