A charity dinner is being held at the Abbey House Hotel in March next year to raise money for Bay Hospitals Charity in support of Furness General Hospital's Oncology Team and the Rosemere Cancer Centre in Preston in memory of Linda Johnson (Lindy to most) - an adored wife, mother and grandmother who passed away earlier this year from cancer.
Linda Johnson, who lived in Dalton Lane, was 70 when she passed away in March. Linda was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1998 and was treated and continued to live a healthy and happy life. Unfortunately, the cancer returned in 2017 and this diagnosis was sadly announced incurable. Despite this diagnosis, Linda fought with courage and continued to enjoy her life as much as she was able to. Her passing has left a huge hole in the lives of her family.
Her daughter, Vicki Bloomer, along with her family and friends, are organising the event on 2 March 2024 to raise money for the two organisations.
Vicki said: "Mum was always so positive. She never once complained; and even in her final weeks and days when she was really poorly, the courage, strength and dignity she showed was just astounding. She passed away with her family by her side.
"My mum lived for her family - my dad Ken, my sister Rachael and I, and her grandchildren Corey, Esmae, Theo, Georgia and Myla. She was from a large family herself and was very close to her brothers and sisters. She worked in the library before retiring and kept in touch with the ladies she worked with and had a great circle of friends.
"Throughout my mum's illness she received such invaluable support from both organisations, and the event is an opportunity for my family and I to remember her and to raise money for two very important charities close to our heart. We have raised thousands of pounds over the last few years for Rosemere by organising teams for the annual Keswick to Barrow walk and I know her funeral raised over £600 for the oncology unit at FGH. We would like to be able to build on this and honour the memory of my mum."
The event will feature Voce and a DJ as well as a raffle, a silent auction and a game of bingo, which was one of Linda's favourite pastimes. Representatives from both charities will also be in attendance.
Any local business who would like to offer a raffle or auction prize should contact Vicki Bloomer by emailing her on vickibloomer@hotmail.co.uk.
Tickets for the evening are selling fast and are available priced £35 by contacting Vicki on the above email or by googling 'Eventbrite charity dinner with Voce'.