A DEVOTED sister who has battled back from homelessness is holding an event to help raise funds and awareness for an invisible illness which lead to her brother’s death.

Carl Ashcroft was working as a scaffolder in Stanway in November 2004 when he fell off a roof after suffering from sudden cardiac failure.

No-one knew he was at risk of the disease and he died aged just 20.

Now his sister Chelsea, who has recently moved in with charity Emmaus Colchester after finding herself homeless, has helped organise a cake sale to raise money for charity Cardiac Risk in the Young which aims to prevent sudden deaths through awareness, screening and research.

Chelsea, 21, said: “He was working on a roof in Stanway when his heart just stopped.

“Sadly that was him just gone.

“He was very fit and healthy.

“I was only nine when he died and want to raise as much money as I can to try to keep his spirit alive.”

Chelsea had been sofa surfing for weeks before referring herself to Emmaus for help.

The charity has taken her in and supported her bid to raise funds.

She said: “I was sofa surfing for a while after a bad relationship break-up.

“I did a self-referral and Emmaus has been really supportive and lots of people are saying they are willing to help.

“In 2012, I raised a bit of money through school and hopefully Emmaus can help raise even more.”

The bake sale is being held at the Emmaus emporium shop in Colchester High Street on Saturday June 10.

Anyone who cannot make the sale but is still willing to donate should visit gofundme.com/fundraising-for-cry-charity.

Emmaus Colchester community manager Gintare Petrauskaite said: “When Chelsea approached us with the idea of supporting this amazing charity we were all immediately on board, especially as Chelsea has been personally affected by this following the sudden loss of her brother.

“We all feel passionately about raising awareness of CRY and hope our efforts contribute towards enabling them to carry out the amazing work they are doing.”