A Derby mum left heartbroken after her daughter took her own life is channelling her grief into a special fundraising ball in aid of two local charities supporting children “so they don’t fall between the cracks”.
Mortgage advisor Kerry Anderson is determined to do something positive to mark what would have been the 30th birthday of her beloved daughter Emily, who died by suicide 2019 aged just 23.
Seven years on, Kerry is focused on supporting two well-loved charities helping children by organising a fundraising ball in Pride Park on February 21.
The ‘Be You’ ball with its anything goes dress code is benefiting The Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre and Treetops Hospice, which runs a special counselling service for bereaved children.
Kerry said: “The idea behind the ball is to do something positive and raise some money on what would have been Emily’s 30th birthday. I’d like to use the event to help children who are struggling.
“I just want to make a difference to people. Perhaps if Emily had got the right help – she would not have taken that awful step.
“I have chosen to support the Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre because it provides holidays and really supports children’s confidence. It’s a charity that helps children who have got a lot of financial challenges. Those challenges affect their mental health and the charity does a lot to support them.
“I want to help children who are struggling. Emily was suffering from poor mental health. This is about supporting charities that help children and make a difference to their lives. If somebody’s life can be saved through support given when they were younger, then that’s precious.”
Kerry said the void left by her daughter Emily would never be healed and that she would give anything to be organising a surprise birthday trip to mark her 30th.
In honour of the ‘free spirit’ that Emily was, she is hoping guests come to the ball wearing any outfit in which they feel comfortable.
“Emily was a real free spirit,” said Kerry. “One time she put on this cow onesie and she was running up and down a street in London!
“She was so accepting of everybody, really forward thinking. She taught me to be accepting of people and be more open minded. I can remember one time when I was driving her to school and she saw this woman, who let’s say had a real mix in what she’d got on.
“Emily said to me, ‘I can’t wait till I get old and I can wear exactly what I want’. That’s what Emily was like, she wasn’t afraid to be herself and never mind what everybody else thinks.
“Emily very a giving person. I think that she would be happy with what we’re doing on her birthday. She was the sort of person who would help people. She was all for the underdog.
“I want people to come to the ball and be yourself. If you want to come to raise money and you want to make a difference to children’s lives, it doesn’t matter if you come in Doc Martins and jeans, or you come in a ball gown or whatever.
“Just come and be yourself.”
Janine Holmes, chief executive officer of The Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre, said: “What Kerry is doing for us and our friends at Treetops Hospice is absolutely remarkable. For any parent the loss of a child is the most terrible thing imaginable. Every birthday and anniversary which follows is particularly heartbreaking. For Kerry to be organising this amazing ball on what would have been Emily’s 30th birthday is very humbling. We thank her from the bottom of our hearts for what she is doing.
“I hope that lots of people from Derby come along to support what promises to be a wonderful evening of joy, music and merry-making – and all colours of the rainbow!”
Treetops Hospice Relationship Manager for Community Engagement, Natalie Godrich, said: “We’d like to say a huge thank you to Kerry for organising The Be You Charity Ball in memory of her daughter, Emily, and for choosing to raise funds for our bereavement counselling service for children and young people. We’re grateful to be one of the charities benefiting from this special event.
“Supporters like Kerry hosting their own events in aid of Treetops Hospice are vital to helping us continue our work and ensuring we can be here for local families when they need us most. The ball sounds fantastic, and we hope everyone attending has a brilliant time, in memory of a lovely young lady.”
Tickets to the Be You ball include a three course meal, raffle and disco. All profits to be split between The Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre and Treetops Hospice children’s bereavement counselling service.
To book tickets see https://buytickets.at/thebeyoufundraisingball/1923564
This story was written and shared on behalf of The Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre by Lucy Stephens. Can we share your news and get you in the headlines too? Find out how we can help by getting in touch.
