Donation helps mum keep charity going
A BEREAVED mum who lost her daughter to cancer will continue charity work in her memory – thanks to funds donated by an Immingham school.
Carolyn Whittington set up a branch of the Candlelighters – which helps children with cancer and their families – after her daughter Laura lost her battle with cancer in 2007, aged 18.
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MUCH-LOVED: Laura Whittington.
Laura had suffered with cancer since 1996 when she was first diagnosed, beating it once before losing her battle with the disease the second time around.
Fundraisers have held a ball in September – the month that Laura died – since 2008, but this year they were unable to do so due to a problem finding a venue.
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However, the Candlelighters, based in Barton, will continue "ticking over" thanks to a donation of £1,223.38 from students at Oasis Academy Immingham.
Carolyn said: "Having to cancel the ball this year could have put us in some difficulty, but having such a lot of money donated will keep us afloat."
Every year, the school's charity council – made up of pupils – puts together a shortlist of worthy causes that the school would like to support. Then, students vote for one to become their chosen charity which will benefit from their fundraising efforts. In the 2011-2012 academic year, they chose the Candlelighters.
Hollie Earley, 12, said: "A lot of members of my family have died from cancer so I voted for the Candlelighters."
Shannon Hunt, 12, said: "My granddad had cancer last year and it sounded like the best one to help."
Debbie Shepherd, former Oasis Academy Immingham staff member and treasurer for the charity, first put the name forward.
"Kids usually choose animal charities and it was close but they chose us in the end. It really has helped us out, especially since the ball has been cancelled," she said.
The students held a Christmas concert, various stalls and competitions and an Olympic-themed party when the torch came through Immingham to raise the money.
Having beaten their target of £1,000, they plan to set the bar even higher this year.
Paul Fairlie, assistant principal, said: "They should be proud of themselves, their parents should be proud and the school is certainly very proud of them.
"It shows that we have a school full of genuinely nice, caring people who want to give something back and will be a credit to the town of Immingham in the future."
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