Sunderland Echo

Charity bid to pay tribute to tragic Erin

- By Lisa Nightingal­e lisa.nightingal­e@jpress.co.uk Twitter: @lnightinga­lejp

The heartbroke­n family of a caring young woman are fighting to come to terms with her sudden death at the age of just 26.

Erin Farthing loved to help children and her family have launched a fundraisin­g campaign to bring joy to ill youngsters in her memory.

Erin died after suffering heart failure on May 7.Her death devastated her family and friends.

Now, as they slowly try to come to terms with losing Erin – who they have described as someone who “could light up a room with her smile” – they have set up a fundraisin­g page in her memory in aid of the Make A Wish Foundation.

The charity grants wishes to children and young people fighting life-threatenin­g conditions.

A family friend said: “Erin loved to travel and had hundreds of friends all over the world. She loved children and loved helping. That’s why we have chosen the Make A Wish Foundation.

“We want to help a child who needs something nice to happen in their lives. That’s what she would have wanted.” Erin, who lived in Boldon, worked as a call handler for Sun Bingo.

She has been described as a young woman who was “sponteneou­s” and had “a fear for nothing.”

She spent a lot of her adult life travelling. While abroad she trained and worked as an English teacher in Malaysia and Cambodia, after being introduced to working in schools by one of her friends.

The friend added: “Erin was very much a self-motivator and was always helpful.

“She packed so much into her short life that a lot of older people wouldn’t be able to do in a lifetime.

“A memorial was even held for her in Thailand, where she spent a lot of her time.

“Erin was a beautful girl who had a smile which could just light up a room.”

A funeral was held at South Shields crematoriu­m.

If you would like to make a donation to the Make A Wish Foundation in memory of Erin, visit www. gofundme.com/in-memory-of-erin-farthing.

 ??  ?? The late Erin Farthing.
The late Erin Farthing.

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