Youngsters raise cash in memory of Charlotte

Buy photos » Charlotte’s mum Diane Cole joins youngsters Jessica Clifford and William Broughton both three, to present the cheque to Air Ambulance area co-ordinator Jenny Ashman. Picture by Nick Hands 0812025NHR Order at www.buyphotos247.com.

A DROITWICH mum has been left overwhelmed by the fund-raising efforts of a town pre-school which she says is helping to keep the memory of her daughter alive.

Diane Cole, who works at the pre-school as an assistant, spoke to The Standard on Wednesday (February 22) following St Peter’s Pre-School’s £230 donation to Midlands Air Ambulance.

The cash was raised in memory of Diane’s daughter Charlotte who tragically died just over a year ago when she suffered severe head injuries in a fall while training horses at a Worcestershire racing yard.

The 23-year-old was taken by air ambulance to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham but lost her fight for life two days later.

Diane has been part of the team for several years and pre-school staff wanted to stage a fun event to educate the children, aged three and four, about health and safety while also raising funds for the cause.

Thirty youngsters were asked to collect ten items to do with health and safety, including a plaster, bandage, thermometer, torch, cotton wool, safety socket cover, white tape, a plastic medicine spoon, cotton buds and a picture of the air ambulance.

Diane said: “It’s been very special, very uplifting, I have wonderful colleagues and they and the children have helped me through my grief.

“The support from everyone and knowing we are doing so much for such a worthwhile cause has made it a special day not only for me but for my family,” she added.

The pre-school, which is based in the Winslow Vestry at St Peter’s Church, will continue to raise funds for the Midlands Air Ambulance and for Racing Welfare, the other charity Charlotte keenly supported.

“I’m very proud of Charlotte because she gave us a lot, the air ambulance sadly could not help her, but they certainly tried very hard and we know they can help so many people.

“It’s like she is living on, helping others and I think we have all got a lot from it.

“The pre-school has helped not only myself, but my family as well because coming back to work was hard, but the support that is ongoing, even a year down the line, from my colleagues and the children, has been my own special therapy.

“The children have been amazing and I have to mention the parents because they have been there for me and all of us,” she added.

Dawn Checketts, chair of St Peter’s Pre-School, said: “It was lovely to see the children enjoy learning all about basic health and safety, while helping to support such a good cause that is very close to Diane’s heart.”

Diane and her husband Roger have also encouraged other people to carry organ donor cards after Charlotte’s organs were used to save lives.

For more on the pre-school, please call 07980 070023 or 01905 799408.

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