A TEENAGER has passed on her long-held gratitude to a hospice which cared for her mother prior to her death.

Becky Clark said her family appreciated the compassionate treatment given to her mother, June, by the staff at Willowburn Hospice, at Maiden Law, near Lanchester, County Durham.

Mrs Clark lost her fight against cancer three years ago, but Becky said she has since wanted to do something to repay the hospice for the “wonderful care” it provided late in her mother’s life.

Assisted by her friend Caitlyn Hodgson, 15-year-old Becky arranged a big fundraising event at Delves Lane Community Bar, in Delves Lane, near Consett.

It featured a raffle, cake stall, face-painting, a bouncy castle and balloon entertainer, and, after four-hours of fun for all, it raised a grand total of £821 for the running of the hospice.

“I’ve been wanting to do something like this for a while.

“Obviously, I was a bit young, being only 12, when my mam died.

“But with the help of my friends, particularly Caitlyn, and the support of the community bar in letting us have the big room, it’s gone really well.

“I think it’s what my mam would have really have wanted to do.

“She was a big supporter of the hospice and did a lot for it, so it was good that they were able to help her.

“It’s gone really well. There were that many people queueing to get in, that we started half-an-hour early.”

The year 11 pupil at Consett Academy is now planning to formally hand over the money raised on a visit to the hospice in coming weeks.