Ashleigh’s legacy of hope out of tragedy
Cancer victim’s name will live on in trust for bereaved
FAMILY and friends have been left devastated by the death of a much-loved hair stylist and mum at just 27.
But her name will now live on in a foundation helping the bereaved.
Ashleigh Whitaker, of Haslingden, had fought a courageous 12-month battle with rare and aggressive cancer Ewing sarcoma and had finished her treatment late last year - only to suffer a sudden relapse and die on Wednesday, February 3. Fiancé Mitchell Antrobus has now set up a Foundation in Ashleigh’s name to support bereaved children and single parents.
He said: “I just want some support for grieving children or the single parent that’s left behind - in Ashleigh’s name and her legacy.
“She would absolutely love this idea; she would be over the moon with it.”
TRIBUTES have been paid to a much-loved hair stylist and mum who “lit up the room”, following her death, aged 27.
Ashleigh Whitaker, of Haslingden, had fought a courageous 12-month battle with rare and aggressive cancer Ewing sarcoma, and had finished her treatment late last year - only to suffer a sudden relapse.
She died on Wednesday, February 3, leaving fiancé Mitchell Antrobus, 30, son Jordan, 10, parents Simon and Dianne, brother Nathan, and stepmum Denise.
The former Haslingden High pupil was a hair stylist at Celeste Arnold, in Edenfield, where she had worked since she was a teenager. They said they had lost their “brightest star”.
During her treatment, Ashleigh had bravely campaigned for Clatterbridge Cancer Hospital, which carried out her chemotherapy and radiotherapy since her diagnosis in January 2020, raising an amazing £5,000.
Mitchell, who has now set up a Foundation in Ashleigh’s name to support bereaved children and single parents, said they would have been together for a decade in April, and had discussed their dreams of getting married.
“We got engaged a while ago and we made plans for a wedding,” said the fire sprinkler installer.
“We were going to do it as soon as possible, but we were just not quick enough.
“It just came completely out of the blue.
“She beat it; she won the battle.
“She rang the bell, and she just took a big turn for the worse over a single weekend, and that was it.”
More than 330 fundraisers have raised in excess of £9,400 to support Ashleigh’s family, and community fundraising events are in the planning.
Mitchell, who lives in Britannia, said the support across the whole Valley had been “overwhelming”.
He added: “She loved shopping and having a good time and living for the moment. She was the loudest person you would meet. She absolutely lit up the room and got the party started. Everyone adored her and she had a lot of friends.”
In a statement Celeste Arnold Hair Make-up & Beauty described her as “fantastic, dedicated, hardworking and extremely loyal”.
They added: “She had a huge clientele who all loved her to pieces.
“There was always fun when Ashleigh was around... especially on our staff nights out! Our hearts go out to her beautiful son Jordan, her fiancé Mitchell and all her family.
“She’s the brightest star. And we will always have her in our team.”
A message on the Haslingden High School Sixth Form Facebook page read: “We are desperately sad to hear that ex-student, Ashleigh Whitaker, has passed away at the age of 27 after a brave battle with cancer.
“Many of our staff remember Ashleigh and our thoughts are with her family and friends at this time.”
The funeral will be held on Friday, February 19 at Accrington Cemetery, and Ashleigh will be picked up from the house on Piccadilly Street, Haslingden at 2.20pm.
Visit gofundme.com and search for ‘In Memory of Ashleigh’ and follow links.