THE people of Furness have come together to make sure a Barrow mum-of-five has a fitting memorial.

Lisa Arnold, 36, of Hindpool, died suddenly on Tuesday July 21.

Her sisters, Donna, 33, Amanda, 32, and Sara, 26, began fundraising online to help their parents with the funeral costs.

Within a week their Go Fund Me page has received donations of more than £700 and they have received two offers of help in arranging a headstone or plaque for Lisa.

The two stonemasons who offered their services to the Arnold family were Monumental Masons in Kirkby and Chris’s Memorials in Barrow.

Vanessa James, from Barrow, got in touch with Chris Hartley, of Chris’s Memorials, to see if he could help.

She said: “I used to live next door to Lisa about 15 years ago. We were both young mums and made friends.

“But when I saw in the paper about her family struggling with funeral costs and I saw the picture of her little ones, I just thought, ‘I know someone who can help.’”

After speaking to Mrs James, Mr Hartley realised he actually knew the Arnold family.

He said: “I am willing to help the family in any way I can.

“It’s just sorting out the details now. It’s hard to know where you start when you lose someone, there’s so much to take into consideration. This is something that they need to take their time with, it doesn’t need to be rushed.

“Having somewhere to go helps with the grief, it gives you a sense of feeling that they are still there, it will also give the kids somewhere to go and remember her.”

Amanda Arnold was shocked by the response the family has received.

She said: “I just can’t believe it, it’s amazing how people have come together to help us and it means so much to Mum and Dad.

“I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has helped and donated. Words can’t explain just how much it means to all of us and it shows us how many amazing, caring people there are out there.”

Lisa leaves behind Michael, eight, Tianna, 10, Chloe, 12, Robbie, 16 and Bethani, 18.

The cause of death is still unknown and the coroner has been informed.

The family is arranging a private ceremony for family and close friends where Lisa’s life can be celebrated.