A TWIN today thanked everybody who has supported her family since her sister was killed in a road accident.

Mother-of-two Aileen Wood died in Blackburn Infirmary after she was in collision with a car in Blackburn Road, Rishton, on Thursday, January 13.

She was due to attend St Thomas' Hospital in London with her twin Marian Whyte on February 1, as part of a twin research programme.

The family have received more than £500 in donations for the Chronic Disease Research Foundation (CDRF), a charity which supports genetic research into the common diseases of ageing that run in families, such as arthritis, diabetes, and osteoporosis.

Marian said: "Aileen and I were looking forward to going to London to take part in the twins research. We were going to take the opportunity to do some shopping and perhaps see a show. Now Aileen has gone we will never be able to do things together, but raising funds for CDRF has been a comfort.

"Firstly, the support we've had shows how much Aileen was loved and respected.

"Secondly, without Aileen I can not physically take part in the research but I feel that by supporting this charity in Aileen's name we are doing something together.

"The family sincerely thanks everybody who has supported them with kind letters, cards and donations."

Jane Domb, campaign co-ordinator at CDRF said: "Aileen and Marian were going to attend the twin research unit for a full medical check-up, including a bone density scan, skin examination, and blood test. "This information, along with details about lifestyle, would be used to determine what factors, both genetic and environmental, are involved in the development of the diseases of the ageing process.

"I find it absolutely amazing that the family is thinking of other people at this difficult time, and their kind donation to CDRF will help us to develop our twin and genetic research."

Aileen, of Haworth Street, Rishton, had worked as an energy adviser at Norweb for more than five years.

She had previously worked as a demonstrator for Singer sewing machines, and as a telephonist for Allspeeds in Clayton-le-Moors.

Rishton-born Aileen, a former pupil at Norden High School, leaves two sons, Steven, 30, and Andrew, 28, as well as her sisters Marian and Margaret.

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