Fundraiser in memory of Chapel-en-le-Frith woman who died suddenly to take place this weekend

Carrie Oxbury was just 37 when she died unexpectedly last Thursday, August 6.

Now her close friend Zoe Brothers has set up a fundraiser to help support Carrie’s family and three children, with a day of activities taking place in Chapel on Sunday.

Zoe set up ‘Carrie’s Family Fundraiser’ on Facebook on August 10 after numerous people said they would be unable to attend the activities day fundraiser.

Since then, only two days later, the page has been inundated with donations – with a massive £3,775 having been donated out of a target of £4,000 from 201 generous people at the time of writing.

Zoe Brothers said: “It's awful, it's completely tragic what has happened. She was one of my best friends but we didn't expect two days ago when I set up the funding page of Facebook that we'd nearly have £4,000 and it's not even been 48 hours.”

Sunday’s activities day, which has been set up by Zoe and Carrie’s other close friends, Annie Mason and Hannah Brearley, aims to raise even more money for the family, and will take place at the Rowton Ground home of Chapel Town FC in Chapel-en-le-Frith between 12 and 2pm.

There will be a fitness class, a dance event, a music event, and there will be a bouncy castle for younger visitors – so Zoe is urging everyone, families and individuals alike, to come along.

Zoe said: “We've also got a huge raffle going on that we didn't expect to be so big.

"The majority of companies in Chapel have donated vouchers, food, beauty products, haircuts, window cleaning services.

"We've got 200 balloons with tags on for people to let go, they're going to pay a pound for each one with a message, which I think will be really good for her kids as well.”

The funds raised will help with any costs that may be needed for Carrie’s three children and to make sure that they are looked after for the time being, as well as possibly going towards a funeral.

Zoe said: “We're just completely gobsmacked up to now for the support and donations that we have had for Carrie's children and the family.

“It's quite overwhelming really but just a massive thank you, we can't thank them enough – each and every one of them we have got a list of their names and we will be thanking them individually one by one after the event when we've got our heads around it and got together with everyone.

“So please, please just turn up to this event on Sunday and you know show a bit of support there and just have some fun for what Carrie enjoyed doing.”

Zoe added: “The family are eternally grateful for all the support and donations.

"It’s very heartwarming and it shows what a wonderful community we live in.”

To donate, visit www.facebook.com/donate/328974534906343/.