Flora fundraises in the memory of best friend

For the last three years Flora Garner, 16, has held charity coffee mornings in loving tribute to her friend Ruby Johnson.

The events have raised more than £1,500 for charities close to Ruby’s heart with a £325 donation going to the Diana Trust Fund this year.

Flora said: “Ruby and I grew up together and we were friends since primary school.

“I organise these events so that everybody who knew and loved Ruby can come together to remember her and celebrate her life.

“I’m pleased that I can make a difference in her memory to the other children that the team look after.”

Ruby, who lived in Leamington and attended Trinity School, died aged 13 in 2009 of neuroblastoma, a cancer which affects about 100 children in the UK each year.

Since then Flora has organised charity events for Ruby’s family and friends in order to celebrate her life.

Flora set up this year’s event while studying for her AS-levels.

The Diana Trust Fund is a fund of money used by nursing teams while they care for children aged up to 18 in the last few months of their lives.

Carolyn Bishop, lead nurse for children’s palliative care for South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Ruby was truly 
inspirational with a beautiful personality, great character and showed immense 
bravery.

“I would like to offer my sincerest thanks to Flora for all of her hard work in 
organising these events in Ruby’s memory.

“All of the donated money will go towards ensuring other families are able to make the last few months of their loved one’s life as comfortable as possible.”