AN inspirational aunt celebrated her birthday by raising £900 in memory of her nephew Declan Heath, who died of cancer aged ten.
Alison Marvan, 50, from Larksfield Crescent, Dovercourt, was urged to throw a fundraising party by her son Danny, 22, after insisting that she didn’t want any gifts.
The mother of three is still recovering herself from a devastating spinal tumour, which was diagnosed in 1999.
Her battle with cancer involved 13 operations and the insertion of metal vertebrae and rods to correct her spine.
She says the ordeal has helped her to understand the struggle her nephew Declan went through when he was diagnosed with sarcoma in 2002.
“You can’t do a lot when you know someone is that poorly, but if we can do something like this fundraising party it makes it worthwhile.”
Alison held the party at the Park Pavilion Community Centre, in Dovercourt, and was delighted with the turnout and support shown.
People donated money in birthday cards and there was a bingo competition with a £60 prize for the winner, with all donations going towards Declan’s memorial fund.
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