Last updated at 14:58, Friday, 15 June 2012

MONEY raised in memory of an inspirational mum, who fought three different types of cancer, will help fund temporary accommodation for families of patients being treated for leukaemia.

A collection taken at Clare Hutchinson’s funeral, plus some donations from well-wishers, raised £1,340 which will be donated to Duncan House in Blackpool.

Ms Hutchinson, a mum and grandmother, died last month after fighting a 13-year battle against repeated episodes of bowel cancer, a brain tumour and leukaemia.

The 41-year-old’s parents praised Duncan House after staying there for six months during their daughter’s treatment for the last of the three illnesses.

Ms Hutchinson’s dad, Paul Sturgeon, 62, of Kirkstone Crescent, Barrow, said: “The travelling was so far – it’s a 160-mile round-trip to Blackpool and back.

“We travelled for the first fortnight that Clare was in there, and just that was a nightmare for us.

“Clare was so ill, we really needed to be able to be called to the hospital sometimes three or four times during the night.

“It would have been very distressing travelling through the night knowing how serious she was.”

Duncan House was set up by Barrow woman, Liz Cassells, in memory of her husband, Graham Duncan, who died of leukaemia aged 54, in January 2010.

The temporary home provides accommodation for Cumbrian families with relatives being treated for the disease at the specialised Blackpool Victoria Hospital.

The upkeep of the house costs around £10,000 a year, and Mr Sturgeon and his family have pledged to continue raising funds and awareness in Miss Hutchinson’s name.

He said: “It’s absolutely invaluable, we really can’t stress how important it was to us.

“It’s just ideal, literally 50 yards from the hospital entrance. We couldn’t have afforded a hotel for six months, so having a place like this just meant so much.

First published at 13:48, Friday, 15 June 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk