Family of Wigan mum who lost cancer battle raise £3k in her memory

Relatives of Edna Bibby from Aspull have been astonished by the generosity of the public in their bid to aid Macmillan Cancer Support.
Edna Bibby (right) with her mum Elizabeth Dunn and her son Christian DunnEdna Bibby (right) with her mum Elizabeth Dunn and her son Christian Dunn
Edna Bibby (right) with her mum Elizabeth Dunn and her son Christian Dunn

Edna died last month aged just 58, having gone to hospital in January when she started to become ill.

Shockingly, tests revealed at the end of February that she had stage four lung cancer which had also spread to other parts of her body.

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She went to Wigan Infirmary in August after struggling with her breathing but sadly she died a few days

Edna BibbyEdna Bibby
Edna Bibby

later.

She was supported during the illness by Macmillan Cancer Support and after seeing that vital equipment she was given had been donated her family decided they wanted to raise money to provide more kit for people fighting cancer.

Her son Christian Dunn said: “Towards the last few weeks she was struggling a bit with her breathing.

“Macmillan provided her with a nebuliser, a device which you put water in and the vapours help.

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“It had a stamp on it which said it had been donated by somebody who had also gone through their own battles.

“Afterwards we thought it would be a really good thing to do to raise funds so Macmillan can get more equipment people need.

“Mum’s death was a shock because it was very quick.

“When she went into hospital the last time the paramedics very nearly didn’t take her.

“She had a bit of a temperature and her nebuliser wasn’t working properly so she was struggling to breathe.

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“The paramedics put medication in with the oxygen and then said they had better take her into hospital in case she had an infection.

“Two days later we received the news it was end-of-life.

“We were hoping to bring her home on the day she died but we didn’t manage to do that.”

More than 100 people have donated to the family’s Go Fund Me page to help Macmillan, while family and friends have also given money separately to bring the current total to just over £3,300.

Edna worked for a cleaning company in her final job and her popularity was shown when mourners lined the streets leading to Overdale Crematorium in Bolton on the day of her funeral, with numbers allowed in the chapel strictly limited to her family and closest friends due to the coronavirus pandemic.

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Her family are now planning a range of fund-raising activities including a boxing match, a Three Peaks Challenge and a marathon.

Christian, who lives in Spain, is also considering teaming up with his cousin Daryl Ridyard to bring in cash, with ideas being discussed including a McTour from Wigan to Gibraltar stopping at the iconic fast food eateries along the way.

Edna is survived by her parents John and Elizabeth Dunn, her husband Stephen Bibby, her siblings Alan, Albert and Terry Dunn and Jacqueline Ridyard, and her son Christian.

To find out more or to donate, visit www.gofundme.com/f/in-memory-of-edna-bibby