February 17th 2010 would have been Leanne’s 23rd birthday – our 2nd birthday without our beautiful daughter and sister to David..

Since losing Leanne we have held several fundraising events. As she was such a lover of sport these tended to be different sporting activities, but although she loved her sport she also loved dressing up in a Posh Frock and having fun partying.

So we decided that on February 20th we would hold a celebration for her birthday being Leanne’s Posh Frock and Black Tie do.

We contacted one of our local pubs (where Leanne used to pop into with her friends during their final year of school, before going to University) and asked them to help us with our idea, which they were only to pleased to do.

We were told the venue would hold 70 guests and we planned to hold a 3 course meal, auction, raffle and disco. Once the news of this got around we were sold out within 72 hours! “Oh well, its definitely going to happen then” we all agreed!

So many people wanted to come we had to have a list of names on standby just in case we had anyone drop out.

People came from all over – there was Leanne’s old school and University friends; our friends; David and Laura’s friends – and their beautiful baby daughter Phoebe Leanne (only 7 months old and Leanne’s 1st niece) came along to.

There were also local business people; local councillors and work colleagues; we had people travelling from Jersey, Somerset and Wales to mention but a few…..WOW, so many people still want to remember our daughter and support one another, bless them.

We had a friend of a friend offer to be the Auctioneer (Nico was fantastic at this, very funny) and one of Leanne’s old school friends provided us with the disco – thanks to Craig for his generosity and help with this. We had people donating items for the auction and raffle that we had never met before and to whom we are eternally grateful – so many kind and generous people around really does strengthen my faith in human kindness.

Well the night was a fantastic success and we raised in excess of £1850 for CRY. We had a fantastic meal which included some of Leanne’s favourite dishes, very funny auction and raffle and a very noisy disco but hey, we ALL HAD FUN and remembered our beautiful precious daughter, sister and friend Leanne.

I am sure Leanne was there with us, partying as she always did.

Mum (Mary Haddrell)

xx