'Sam Fest' in memory of Burnley woman Samantha Duff raises over £10,000 at Belvedere and Calder Vale Sports Club
A day, devoted to a popular and inspirational Burnley woman who died from breast cancer at the age of just 39 last year, has raised over £10,000 for charity.
‘Sam Fest’ took place at Belvedere and Calder Vale Sports Club on Bank Holiday Sunday, in memory of Samantha Duff.
With the tag ‘playing for Samantha’ there was a charity football game and family fun day with live music, inflatables, food, three licensed bars, and a huge raffle with thousands of pounds worth of prizes.
All the money raised will be donated to Breast Cancer NOW, the charity that Sam herself supported. Pink t-shirts emblazoned with the Sam Fest logo were on sale and a cardboard cut out of the lady herself watched over the fun event.
Much loved Sam, who was an adored wife, daughter, auntie and friend, moved from her native Glasgow to Burnley with her family when she was 10. A pupil at the former Walshaw High School, Sam ran a successful business with her husband Chris called The Outdoor Floor Co. She had beaten breast cancer once before, ‘hardly breaking a sweat’ in the process, said her mum.
Club stewardess Louisa Malatesta, who was also a good friend of Sam’s, said: “Sam was the life and soul of everyone’s party, always there to help everyone out with anything and she put everyone before herself.
"Sam would have given her last penny to anyone and we just wanted Sam Fest to be as amazing as her and it will become an annual event in her memory.”