A DAUGHTER hopes to raise £10,000 to mark the tenth anniversary of her father’s death.

Caitlin Jones’ world was turned upside down when dad Nigel died from lung cancer on February 12, 2008, just two days after her 12th birthday.

But since then, inspirational Caitlin — with the support of her mum Tracy — has helped raise £30,000 for cancer charities to research and battle the disease, as well as East Lancashire Hospice.

Caitlin arranged a craft charity event, which took place at The Whitehall Hotel in Darwen on February 17 and February 18.

The two-day craft workshop, arranged with special guest Craft Channel regular Jodie Johnson, saw Caitlin and Tracy raise more than £8,000 for the hospice, already near to her £10,000 target.

Caitlin, 22, from Darwen, said: “I went there for bereavement support after my father died.

“Since then, East Lancashire Hospice has been really close to my heart.

“I’m very close to the team and I don’t think I would be in the place I am now if they hadn’t been there.”

Mum Tracy said the hospice staff were ‘incredible.’

She said: “If she hadn’t had the counselling, Caitlin wouldn’t be able to speak about her dad now with a smile, with fondness and with love.”

Last year Caitlin helped to add thousands to her fundraising total, including £1,400 raised through various events.

Tickets for the two-day craft workshop sold out within 24 hours of the event being announced and the mother/daughter fundraising team, who are both keen crafters, asked businesses to get involved by contributing prizes for the charity raffle.

Guests made a variety of items such as memories books and small MDF storage units.

Tracy said: “One of the aims of this has been to put Darwen on the map and to show how Darreners support each other.

“Our thanks go to businesses Woods Fruit and Vegetables in Darwen, Finch Bakery in Great Harwood, Trevor Adams Photography, Inspirations of Preston, Lynette Jasper and various crafters who have donated lots of wonderful crafty things.

“Most of all our thanks go to The Whitehall Hotel for allowing the event to be held there and for all their support and to Jodie Johnson for helping support Caitlin in her endeavours to raise as much as she can in memory of her father, Nigel.”

The event was such a success that they are already planning another next year to be held at the Whitehall Hotel again.

Tracy said: “It’s been ten years since Nigel passed away and Caitlin wanted to recognise the anniversary by raising £10,000 for the hospice.

“Losing Nigel was awful and devastating for myself and Caitlin, who was only 12 at the time.

“Unless you’ve gone through a similar situation, it’s hard to understand how someone can feel.

“But Caitlin wanted to try and help people and do something positive and put a smile on their faces, so she decided to raise money. Caitlin is an inspiration, as usually people may decide to fundraise for one year for cancer which is great, but to still be raising money years later, is amazing.”