Fundraiser for house blast victim
DONATIONS TO CREATE ‘LEGACY’ IN MEMORY OF MUCH-LOVED COUNSELLOR HAZEL, 61
A fundraiser has been set up in memory of a much-loved counsellor who died in a house explosion in Bury.
Hazel Wilcock was at her home in Summerseat when tragedy struck on February 18.
The 61-year-old had been on FaceTime to her boyfriend when her house collapsed at around 9.20pm.
The huge blast reduced her East View home to rubble, leaving nothing but a roof beam amid the wreckage.
Tragically, Ms Wilcock was pronounced dead at the scene.
A fundraiser in her memory has since been set up online.
Raising funds for St Ann’s Hospice, where Ms Wilcock worked as a senior counsellor, it pays tribute to a ‘bundle of energy and life who ‘touched so many people.’
So far, it has raised almost £400 of its £500 target.
Jemma Major, who set up the fundraiser, broke down in tears as she remembered her close family friend.
“She was caring, loving - just always there to help people. That’s what she was all about,” she said. “We only live up the road. It was completely disbelief.
“We were hoping she would still be alive. You heard of people who get buried under buildings in earthquakes.
She was like one of the family.”
Ms Wilcock was born in Radcliffe and dedicated her life to caring for others. Prior to her work at St Ann’s Hospice, she worked as a social worker with deaf people in Blackburn.
Eventually, she became a director of Sign Health, where she created national access to counselling services for deaf people. The revolutionary work made it easier for deaf people to access mental health services.
Jemma, 39, of Summerseat, continued: “(The fundraiser) is to have a legacy for Hazel because she worked at St Ann’s Hospice and it’s something that was so close to her heart.
“If we can raise money in her memory, she would really like
that.
“Everyone has been so supportive. We’re completely shocked but we all rallied around.”
An inquest into Ms Wilcock’s death was opened at Rochdale Coroner’s Court on Tuesday. Police coroner’s officer, Jane Scullion, told the court: “Hazel was at her home address and was having a FaceTime call with her partner when an explosion took place. “Ms Wilcock’s property was completely destroyed and there was damage to two neighbouring properties. “Ms Wilcock was in a seating position, on the sofa, at the time of the FaceTime call.”
She was caring, loving - just always there to help people. That’s what she was all about Friend Jemma Major