'We can't ever forget her, she inspired lots of people' - charity day in memory of brave teenager

Emily Eden was just 19 when she died at home in Clay Cross, on May 27, 2024, eight months after she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of the disease which affected her adrenal glands.

Her father Richard said: “She was amazing. She was determined to be at home and that she was not going into a hospice. We cared for her at home, Every day for eight months she made us laugh….she never complained.”

Emily’s brother Ashley and his partner Alexandra Mosley, who run The Old English Inn in Clay Cross, were determined to honour Emily’s memory by organising a special day to raise funds for Ashgate Hospice every year.

This year’s event will be held on Sunday, May 24 and follows the success of the first Ashgate Hospice Charity Day in 2025.

Family friend Chloe Parkes of Hasland will be aiding the fundraiser by doing a 10-mile walk on a treadmill, starting at 11am. Richard said: “Chloe, who is now 24, got a brain trumour when she was 12 and survived, but it affected her development. She is partially blind and she struggles to walk.

"Last year, Chloe did a head shave – her hair doesn’t even grow properly, so that was a big thing for her. She raised £795 through the head shave.”

Sunday’s fundraiser in aid of Ashgate Hospice will include a tombola and the release of balloons at 6pm.

Richard said: “It’s a difficult day but it’s a good day remembering Emily – we can’t ever forget her. Emily inspired lots of people to keep their chin up and just carry on with life.”

Emily was the youngest of Richard and his wife Dawn’s five chidren. She was in hospital having her first round of chemotherapy when the family’s home at Windermere Road, Clay Cross was flooded.

Richard said: “We had to live in Bateman’s Mill, which my son and his partner were running at the time, while they did the house. They got us back into the house for Christmas 2023, we were the only ones on the street and they did it purposely for Emily.”