Northampton woman to host black tie charity ball as last promise to her mum who died from cancer

Lorraine, who died at the age of 66, had begun planning the event before she lost her battle with pancreatic cancer
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A Northampton woman who lost her mum to cancer in 2019 has organised a black tie charity ball in her mother’s name.

Hannah Buckley, from Harpole, had just beaten her own cancer diagnosis when her mum - Lorraine Lloyd - was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

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While Lorraine, who worked at Northampton General Hospital before retiring, was undergoing treatment, she told Hannah that she wanted to do something for charity.

Lorraine Lloyd (left) and her daughter, Hannah Buckley, began planning the first charity ball before Lorraine died.Lorraine Lloyd (left) and her daughter, Hannah Buckley, began planning the first charity ball before Lorraine died.
Lorraine Lloyd (left) and her daughter, Hannah Buckley, began planning the first charity ball before Lorraine died.

Hannah said: “My mum had just supported me through surgery and chemotherapy and then she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

“It’s a silent cancer and it takes you quickly. Mum knew she was dying but she told me she wanted to something for charity like a ball, so we started arranging it together.

“We’d decided to do the ball in the following year, but mum passed away in March 2019 at the age of 66. One of my last promises to her was that I would do this ball.”

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The ball went ahead in 2019, was a great success and around £6,000 was raised for The Lewis Foundation and Macmillan Cancer Support - two charities chosen by Lorraine.

Hannah intended to make the event an annual one and began planning the 2020 ball, but the pandemic hit so it never went ahead.

Now she is organising this year’s ball, which will raise money for The Lewis Foundation once again, as well as Cynthia Spencer Hospice this year.

While receiving treatment, Lorraine received gift packs from the charity and the hospice was where she spent her last days.

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Hannah, who also works at the hospital as a support worker, added: “Mum was liked by so many and is missed by so many.

“It will be in her memory and I hope to do it every year to raise not just funding but awareness too, for pancreatic cancer and the charities that are local to us.

“It’s my way of keeping my mum’s memory alive and to keep everyone together.

“Also the work that The Lewis Foundation does is amazing and Cythina Spencer staff are just angels.”

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Hannah asks people to support the event by ‘coming and having a good time’. She is also asking for any prize donations for a raffle and for any businesses to come forward if they want to sponsor the event.

The event will be held at The Park Inn in Silver Street on October 30, where there will be a three-course meal, a local band, a magician, a disco, a silent auction, a live auction and other fundraising games.

Tickets are priced at £50 per person, or £450 for a table of ten and can be purchased by emailing [email protected].