A MOTHER who has been inspired by her daughter's unfailing generosity has launched a new charity to keep her memory alive.

The Butterfly Charity, based in Millom, is the lasting legacy of a "generous" young woman who touched the hearts of many people around the town with her giving nature. 

Alex Kellett died suddenly in November last year at 29 but her memory is kept alive by the tireless efforts of her mother, Joan, who set up The Butterfly Charity.

Mrs Kellett said: "Alex was a big charity worker so we decided to create it in her memory. She would have loved what we're doing. She was so giving - it was just her nature. 

"There wasn't a bad bone in her body - she just gave."

The former St George's Care Home employee dedicated much of her time to helping others by immersing herself in a number of fundraising activities for a range of charities. 

In an effort to help her reputation live on, Mrs Kellett enlisted the support of family and friends to help set up the charity. 

Shelia Watson, a family friend and trustee of the charity, said: "When you have a tragedy you have to try and do something positive. Alex was so young and so full of life we had to do it."

Named after Miss Kellett's love of butterflies, the charity aims to help support local causes by donating money each year.

So far, the team have raised more than £4,000 by holding a series of fundraising events including a mammoth Easter Sunday celebration in memory of Miss Kellett and her friend, Nathan Lonsdale. 

A range of merchandise has also been created to help boost funds, so family and friends can buy wristbands, T-shirts, hoodies, butterfly wings and even gift boxes to remember their friend by.

The money raised by The Butterfly Charity this year will be donated to Millom First Responders and the North West Air Ambulance - two charities very close to Mrs Kellett's heart. 

She said: "When Alex collapsed that night, Millom First Responders were the first ones here. I don't know where I would be without them. 

"This is just us giving back to them. They don't get funding so it's all about donations which is the same as the North West Air Ambulance."

Determined to help her daughter's generous nature reach as many people as possible, Mrs Kellett is driven on by what Alex would have done herself.

She said: "Whatever we do I always sit down and think that this is what she would have wanted. 

"She inspires me and keeps me going. She would have loved it. 

"We keep her memory alive - there's no doubt about it."

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