Cathy’s last wish honoured by friends
Colleagues of a woman who died after battling cancer have honoured her last wish to raise funds for the hospice that cared for her.
Cathy Ashley worked as a claims adviser at DX Delivery Services for 15 years before losing her battle with the disease in December, aged 54.
Before she died, Cathy asked her colleague and friend of more than 30 years, Melanie Bowring, to help raise money for Compton Hospice, who looked after the mother-of-one from Penkridge during her illness.
“They did a fantastic job and she said ‘I want to give something back’,” said Melanie.
A fundraising target of £500 was initially set.
However, thanks to the efforts of DX staff nationwide and the Rick Dubidat Blackbelt Academy, where Cathy’s grandson Jayden attends, a total of £3,000 has been raised.
“We smashed that target,” said Melanie. The fundraising activities included the 24-hour ‘kickathon’ at Cathy’s grandson Jayden’s kickboxing club, as well as a raffle among DX staff from all over the country.
Melanie added: “Cathy was one in a million – she would do anything for you.
“Nothing was ever too much for her. Everybody loved her.
“Everyone at DX is deeply saddened by her passing, and together the team has raised an amazing £3,000 in her memory for Compton Hospice, a wonderful organisation that provided vital care and support to Cathy and her family.”
On Thursday, March 29 staff from the hospice, which is based in Wolverhampton, visited DX’s delivery office in Willenhall to receive the cheque from Melanie.
“Cathy was a caring, conscientious and hard-working member of the DX team and her passion for life delighted and inspired her colleagues every single day,” Melanie added.
“She was a loving partner, mother and grandmother who will be missed terribly.”
Cathy is survived by her partner of 14 years, Rob Parker, as well as her daughter, Lauren, and two grandchildren.
Cathy was originally from Willenhall but moved Penkridge with her partner, Rob, when they got together.
She’s survived by her partner of 14 years, Rob Parker, as well as her daughter, Lauren, and two grandchildren.
“Everyone at DX is deeply saddened by her passing, and together the team has raised an amazing £3,000 in her memory for Compton Hospice, a wonderful organisation that provided vital care and support to Cathy and her family.”
