Young woman inspired by poem at uncle’s funeral raises over £600 for Rosemere Cancer Foundation

Alicia Bagshaw decided to raise funds in memory of her late uncle

Rosemere Cancer Foundation have benefited from a £665 donation thanks to an apprentice engineer from Cottam, who raised funds in memory of her uncle.

Alicia Bagshaw took inspiration from a poem read at his funeral, and decided to thank Rosemere Cancer Centre for the treatment and care which was given to her uncle, Andy ‘Boo’ Boocock, following his diagnosis with lung cancer in August 2019.

Andy died just a few months later on 30 December, on what should have been his wedding day to fiancee Lynn, his partner of eight years.

Staff working on the cancer centre’s Ribblesdale Ward were able to help Andy and Lynn bring their wedding forward to 12 December, and although it had to take place on the ward, they arranged a photographer, flowers and a buffet to make the day as special as it could be, and enabled Lynn to stay with Andy until he passed away.

After hearing a poem called ‘The Dash’ by Linda Ellis at his funeral, Alicia
decided to show her appreciation of those who had gone the extra mile by
asking her family and friends to sponsor her in her “Boo’s 10k Dash” – a 10k
run.

Alicia said: “My uncle had lived on the same street his whole life. Everyone in Coppull knew him and I have never met anyone with a bad word
to say about him.

“He was always so positive and helped anyone in any way he could. Andy and Lynn never stopped laughing for the eight years they were together. I have never met two people so compatible and happy to just be together making memories.

“I never expected my fundraiser to raise so much money. I am so grateful to everyone who donated. It goes to show how much Andy was loved by everyone and still is.

“I enjoy fitness but I have never been into running and used to struggle running three minutes on a treadmill because of my asthma. Doing the dash was therefore a real challenge for me.

“I built up my stamina and distance last year with help from my gym’s running club. I was booked to run an organised 10k but when it was cancelled because of the pandemic, I decided to still run.”

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