Your Life Honouring Vicky with mission for Macmillan
BEFORE Vicky Ledbrook passed away at the age of 26, she told her loved ones that “everyone should have a Macmillan nurse”.
Now her family is honouring her memory by organising fundraising events for Macmillan Cancer Support – with a charity football match taking place at Coventry Sphinx this Sunday.
Vicky, a former Till Hill Wood pupil who grew up in Coventry, passed away in May 2017 just a few weeks before her 27th birthday. Her battle with cancer had been short.
Her brother Gary explains: “Victoria had travelled the world before falling ill, visiting most of Asia, Australia and New Zealand, making many friends along the way.
“This became apparent with the hundreds of messages we received following her untimely passing.
“Because of these messages and people’s fond memories of the outgoing, fun-loving, caring person we lost, I decided to arrange a memorial night in her honour to raise money for the brilliant Macmillan Cancer Support, who were unbelievable in their approach to helping Victoria during what was a truly horrendous time.” The event took place at The Lime Tree Social Club in Tile Hill last month and raised more than £3,000 – with a quiz, raffle, tombola and auction. Gary also organised a dress-down-day at his workplace, pushing the total to more than £4,000. He hopes to raise even more money this Sunday at the football match. “My good friend Steve Higgs has told his bosses at DHL the story of my sister and also what we have done so far and now DHL have provided us with a football kit for the day and have offered to match whatever we make,” he says. Macmillan Cancer Support’s regional fundraising mansger, Nikki James, said the charity is so grateful to fundraisers like Gary and his family and friends. “Gary’s increasing fundraising efforts for Macmillan are truly inspiring. His determined attitude towards raising vital funds for Macmillan in memory of Vicky will enable us to continue supporting people living with cancer from the moment they are diagnosed. We really appreciate into every collecting minute every Gary penny has put he has raised to date, and we would like to wish him the very best of luck for his charity football match.” ■ The charity match takes place at noon at Coventry Sphinx, with donations to be made on the gate. Email gaz8olden@gmail.com for more details. ■ You can also send a donation to Macmillan in Vicky’s memory by visiting macmillan.tributefunds.com/ vicky-ledbroke