Daughter to hold 'celebration of life' party and fundraiser in memory of 'brilliant and loving' Burnley mum-of-five

Family and close friends will gather on Saturday, October 24th, for the party to celebrate the life of Kerry O'Sullivan who died in April.

It has been organised by Kerry's daughter Tamara (25) who is combining the party with a fundraiser for MIND, a charity that supports and advises people who are struggling with their own mental health and well being.

Tamara, who is a nurse on the NICU ward at Burnley General Hospital, said: "I know my mum would have wanted us to have a party to remember her and I wanted something positive with meaning to come from it so decided to combine it with a fundraising event.

"MIND is an excellent charity that helps so many people and I have had personal experience of it.

" I had an idea that if I could help raise awareness of it and remove the stigma around mental health this could stop another family from going through the trauma and heartbreak we are going through."

Born in Germany where her dad was based with the army, Kerry moved to the UK as a teenager and lived in London before moving to Lancashire.

She had lived in Rawtenstall, Burnley and a few months before she died Kerry had moved to live in Accrington.

Working mainly in retail and for supermarket chains Asda and Sainsbury's, Kerry had to give up work 15 years ago after she was injured in a fire.

Kerry was mum to Tamara and also Tom (22) Charlie (18) 15-year-old Ben and Luna who is just six.

Describing Kerry as a loving person who doted on her children, Tamara said her mum was also her best friend.

She said: "We were so close and did everything together and I feel lost without her.

"She showed us everyday how much she cared for and loved us.

"She was a brilliant mum to us all."

Tamara, who is engaged to her fiance, Sam Winter, has set up a fundraising page and a raffle with several donations and great prizes including a signed programme from Manchester City FC and a bungee jump voucher.

Details of the raffle are still being finalised but anyone will be able to buy tickets leading up to the event.

Although the event on the night is currently limited to 30 due to Covid 19 restrictions, Tamara hopes that more people will be able to attend if the rules are relaxed.

Donations in Kerry's memory can be made to MIND by clicking here.