A CHARITY ball held in memory of a mum who helped look after young Blackburn Rovers stars has raised £4,300 for East Lancashire Hospice.

Siobhan Cooper, of George Street, Rishton, maintained the swimming pool at Blackburn Rovers and helped look after players such as David Dunn and Steven Reid when they first joined the club.

The mum-of-two died aged 42, from secondary liver cancer at the hospice, in April 2008.

She had been diagnosed with breast cancer three years previously.

The charity ball at Ewood Park was organised by Siobhan’s sister Ann-Marie and her husband John, her brother Aidan and his wife Kate, and her brother Tyrone and his wife Janet.

Siobhan’s children, Morgan Cooper and Lauren Hurst, were also involved.

Her mum, Colleen Morgan, of Abbeyfields, Whalley, presented a cheque to hospice nurse Debbie Holgate and the charity’s fundraising manager Sharon Crymble this week.

Colleen said: “I would like to pass on my thanks to lots of our friends who have been so supportive to us and to all our family.”

A dedicated fundraiser, Siobhan helped raise money for the oncology unit at Christie's Hospital in Manchester after her friend died from cancer aged 24.

After her own treatment at the Rosemere Cancer Centre at the Royal Preston Hospital, she organised a charity ball to help a £650,000 appeal for a new scanner.

She also held an auction at Langho Football Club for charity, with signed shirts and boots from the likes of Robbie Savage and David Bentley, and from her sick bed she organised another charity ball for the Rosemere Centre.

Blackburn Rovers stars paid tribute to Siobhan at the time of her death.

Sharon Crymble said Siobhan’s family and friends had continued to raise funds for the hospice in her memory.

She said: “We are very grateful for all their support.”

How to donate

  • By text - Send ROOF to 70700. Texts cost £5 plus network charge. East Lancashire Hospice receives at least £4.45. Obtain bill payers permission. Customer care 08448479800.

    Charity No 1075653.

  • Online - At eastlancshospice.org.uk/roof-appeal. Remember to add the word ‘roof’ in the comments section so it is clear the donation is for this appeal.
  • At a bank - Make a payment at any Yorkshire Bank, Account No 22741541, Sort Code 05-02-52. Locally there are branches in Accrington, Barnoldswick, Blackburn, Burnley, Chorley, Clitheroe, Colne, Nelson and Todmorden.
  • By post - Send a cheque to Roof Appeal, East Lancashire Hospice, Park Lee Road, Blackburn, BB2 3NY.
  • By phone - Pay by debit or credit card by ringing 01254 733410.

If surplus funds are raised they will be used for the general purposes of the charity.

Click on the link below for more information on the Raise The Roof campaign.