Car wash trio drive to replace cancer cash
Friends of a Staffordshire schoolgirl who died from cancer aged just 11 have vowed to raise money in her memory this weekend with a car washing session.
Emily Nugent, a pupil at St Joseph's and St Theresa's Catholic Primary School, Burntwood, died in March after a two-year battle against bone cancer.
Members of the community launched a fundraising drive, but they were left disappointed when thieves stole a collection box of money raised for a bench and plaque at Burntwood Rugby Club.
Caitlin and Cath Burrows and Julie Brindley then decided to try to do something themselves, and have organised a car wash at Tesco Metro, Cannock Road, Chase Terrace, from 10am to 2pm on Sunday.
Cath, aged 38, said daughter Caitlin, aged 11, had known Emily since they were two-and-a-half years old and she knew her parents, Sally and Martin Nugent, through the school community.
The mother of three added that they and her sister, Julie Brindley, aged 40, were upset by the theft.
The community carer said: "We weren't hugely close friends, but because they went to school together for such a long time Emily's death did upset Caitlin.
"When the money was taken we thought we would try to raise a lot.
"The rugby club started to re-raise the money and we went ahead with organising a charity car wash with Tesco.
"We've been told the club now has enough money for a bench, so the money raised by the car wash will go to children's cancer charities – we have not decided which ones yet."
They have already received a cheque for £150 from a Burntwood man and they hope the event will be a success.
They have also set up an event group on social networking site Facebook called "The Emily Nugent Charity Car Wash".
