A MUM who lost her daughter to a rare disease has raised more than £13,500 for charity in a matter of months – and the donations keep on coming.

Suzanne Parmenter, 33, from Colchester, lost her daughter Isobel to Langerhans cell histiocytosis, a rare illness, likened to cancer.

Isobel was 22 months when she died in October last year after fighting for ten months with the illness.

Since their loss, Isobel’s parents have become champions of charity Histio UK, which raises awareness of the condition.

For Histiocytosis Awareness Month next month, Mrs Parmenter has teamed up with her friend Julie Palmer who runs the Move 2 Lose fitness classes. The pair are holding a Histio Hatters and wear something blue week from September 21, where people are encouraged to make or wear a silly hat.

The week will end with a bring and buy sale and coffee morning at the Shrub End Social Centre on Friday, September 25 and Saturday, September 26, with all money raised going to HistioUK.

Mrs Parmenter is amazed at howmuch money has been raised since January and said she is looking forward to holding many more charity events. She said: “We have never done anything like this before.

“My husband and I are just really proud of the work we have done.

“We can still do things for the benefit of other children.”

They recently held a barn dance and raised £2,300 on the night.

Mrs Parmenter also raised a 46- strong group in July to take part in the Race for Life to raise money.

They also have a charity ball planned for February next year at the Essex Golf and Country Club in Earls Colne with all of the 200 tickets having already sold out.