A fitting way to mark tragic Carly's birthday

A party to celebrate what would have been a Wigan domestic violence victim's 30th birthday has given a charity another enormous boost.
Carly FairhurstCarly Fairhurst
Carly Fairhurst

Trevor and Sheila Fairhurst, whose teenaged daughter Carly was killed by her boyfriend a decade ago were able to hand over a cheque this week for £4,280 to Victim Support.

And it means that the Hindley couple have now helped to raise £60,000 for the cause, the money being split between its national support helpline and counsellors who help those cope with the traumas of crime.

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The latest instalment was raised by the latest in a number of Concerts for Carly at Hindley’s Rose Club which are held in April to coincide with the 19-year-old’s birthday.

Pictured left to right are: Steve Ratchford (volunteer), Trevor Fairhurst, 
Jimmy Henderson (Carly Fund chairman ) and Sheila FairhurstPictured left to right are: Steve Ratchford (volunteer), Trevor Fairhurst, 
Jimmy Henderson (Carly Fund chairman ) and Sheila Fairhurst
Pictured left to right are: Steve Ratchford (volunteer), Trevor Fairhurst, Jimmy Henderson (Carly Fund chairman ) and Sheila Fairhurst

Among those providing the entertainment this year were singers Chloe Pownall and Catherine Gelder, while Jake Marshall and Darren Jones both stepped in at the 11th hour to act as DJ and compere respectively after the originals pulled out.

Funds were boosted by both a raffle and an auction while Trevor’s generous employer Waitrose provided the catering. And even Ironman put in an appearance!s

Around 250 people attended this year’s event which also coincided with the Fairhursts’ 40th wedding anniversary.

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Mr Fairhurst said; “It was a really good and well-attended event.

Pictured left to right are: Steve Ratchford (volunteer), Trevor Fairhurst, 
Jimmy Henderson (Carly Fund chairman ) and Sheila FairhurstPictured left to right are: Steve Ratchford (volunteer), Trevor Fairhurst, 
Jimmy Henderson (Carly Fund chairman ) and Sheila Fairhurst
Pictured left to right are: Steve Ratchford (volunteer), Trevor Fairhurst, Jimmy Henderson (Carly Fund chairman ) and Sheila Fairhurst

“Things might not have gone so well had not both Darren and Jake stepped into the breach at the last moment and to them we are particularly grateful.

“Waitrose were also very kind with the catering and it was great to see people from Victim Support coming up from London.”

Very soon after their daughter’s death, the Fairhursts began fund-raising in her memory.

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Wigan Victim Support and Witness Service counsellors had proved invaluable, particularly to a traumatised Sheila and the couple were horrified to discover that they were about to be axed because funding had been pulled.

The Carly Fairhurst Trust was set up and all manner of charitable events have been held by family, friends and complete strangers ever since to help the counselling arm going. And funds are now also going to the Victim Support helpline.

Mr and Mrs Fairhurst have also been much praised for their anti-domestic violence work, taking their harrowing story to everywhere from the schoolroom to police training conferences for which they have received several awards.

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