WE STILL WISH YOU WERE HERE

Friends and family of popular East Boldon health visitor, Tracey Brew, are continuing to raise money for charity in her memory and on Friday (19th January) hosted a large celebration event at The Roker Hotel.

Tracey Brew

Tracey died in 2014 from kidney cancer at the age of just 47. Her husband, Simon, children, Chris and Steph, and a group of her closest friends are together raising funds for two charities which supported Tracey during her illness – St Benedict’s Hospice and our Foundation.

Their fundraising events and activities – cycle rides, coffee mornings, Great North Runs, hikes and more – all come under the poignant banner, ‘We Still Wish You Were Here,’ and have included a live music night at the Grey Horse in East Boldon.

Friday’s sell-out celebration event featured music by Marty Craggs and his Unexpected Visitors and The Ultimate Mercury Tribute, Joseph Lee Jackson.

It was very well-supported by local businesses with auction prizes including a fantastic 5* mini break to Dubai donated by Hays Travel, which raised £1,600 thanks to the winning bid from Julie Lightfoot from South Shields.

Tracey’s wonderful family and friends with representatives of the two charities, including Lady Elsie and Mark Robson

Other businesses which helped include Santander, The Roker Hotel, British Airways, Barclays, Arnold Clark and many local firms.

Tracey’s family and friends and representatives of the two charities were in attendance – including Lady Elsie, and son, Mark Robson, and a magnificent £7,500 was raised on the night.

Lynda Kerr, who helped organise

Lynda Kerr (right) with Julie Lightfoot, the winning bidder of a mini break to Dubai kindly donated by Hays Travel

the celebration, says: “We’ve done quite a few fundraisers including the Great North Run, the Sunderland 10k, coffee mornings and things, but this was the big one.

“We’re thrilled by the way everyone’s pulled together and we’re hoping as much as £12,000 may be generated for the two charities through the event thanks support pledged afterwards.

“We want to keep the memory of Tracey Brew alive. She was very loved and a truly special person. It has all been a great distraction for family and friends and a chance to invest our energy into something positive, which Tracey would have absolutely loved.

We Still Wish You Were Here at The Roker Hotel

“It’s been very worthwhile for everyone and a fantastic group effort. Tracey’s husband, children and her best friends have all helped, and that’s what’s made it all the more personal.

“Our thanks to everyone who has helped us do something special in Tracey’s memory and we look forward to doing more.”

Lady Elsie says: “I know Tracey’s family and friends have been fundraising for a couple of years now. I think it’s exceptional that people can react so positively after the loss of a loved one.

“We’re more than grateful for all their efforts and will ensure the money raised will be well-used.”

A range of football memorabilia kindly donated to support We Still Wish You Were Here fundraising will shortly be auctioned via Ebay, with all proceeds going to the two charities.