Mother hosts fundraising event in memory of her daughter

Back in September 2009, Penny Birch’s daughter Hayley Birch sadly lost her fight against cancer. Nearly 10 years on, Penny is determined to keep her daughter’s memory alive.
Hayley Birch, aged 25 had travelled the world, visiting hot destinations from Las Vegas to Dubai due to her job as an airhostess with Virgin Airlines. Tragically, her young life was cut short due to skin cancer. Hayley, in 2007 had discovered a mole on her leg and later found out that the mole was melanoma, a form of skin cancer. She then went into remission for a period of six months; however the cancer sadly came back more aggressive, attacking her lymph nodes and spreading to her stomach, neck and armpits.
During the time Hayley was diagnosed, she decided that she wanted to do something to raise awareness of skin cancer. Hayley’s Mum, Penny said: ‘Although she wasn’t a sun bed user, there were a lot of her girlfriends the same age that were sunbed users, she wanted to raise awareness of the dangers of skin cancer’.
She took it upon herself to host a ball that was for 100 people, the event was a sell-out in no time at all. Unfortunately, Hayley would not get to see her event as she sadly passed away shortly before the ball was set to take place. Despite this, Penny decided to continue on with the ball as her daughter had dedicated so much time towards this. The event was a roaring success and raised an outstanding £50,000 that night.
Penny said: ‘It gives me a lot of comfort taking about her, it keeps her alive. It’s lovely to raise funds and to raise a glass to her too’
This year Penny has decided to host yet another event, this time at Solihull’s John Lewis which has sold out yet again! The night will consist of fashion shows, live entertainment, bubbly and a chance to win various prizes with raffles and tombolas. All proceeds from the night will be donated to QEHB Charity’s Skin Cancer Appeal.
Rachel Learmonth, Senior Fundraiser at QEHB Charity said: ‘On behalf of the hospital Charity, I would like to say a huge thank you to Penny Birch for fundraising for QEHB Charity’s Skin Cancer Appeal over the years. Penny is an incredibly committed fundraiser who has worked tirelessly to keep her daughter’s memory alive and in turn helped hundreds of patients to provide them with ‘added extras’ that the NHS cannot afford.
To donate to the Charity's Skin Cancer Appeal, please click here