THE owner of a Wirral horseriding school has chosen Marie Curie Cancer as its charity of the year in memory of three relatives who have died from the disease.
Karen Shaw owns Larton Livery in Frankby and named a newborn foal after aunt Patricia Kane who died from breast cancer last month.
Patricia, from Wallasey, who had beaten breast cancer eight years ago, died from secondary liver cancer on March 4.
Two days after her funeral, five-year-old Welsh Section B horse Millie surprised everyone at Larton Livery by giving birth to Welsh Cross, which was named 'Pattie' in Patricia's memory.
Karen chose to support the charity as a way of thanking the charity for Patricia's care. She told the Globe: "The decision to choose Marie Curie came about for a number of reasons.
"I have lost three relatives to the disease; my dad died from bowel cancer, aunt Patricia from breast cancer and uncle David from bone cancer. So deciding to support the charity is my way of remembering them.
"The second reason is my boyfriend, Michael Hughes, who has raised £25,000 for Marie Curie by cycling from London to Paris and York to Paris.
"After the bike ride, we attended a Light Up A Light ceremony at Bradford Cathedral. I met such inspirational people there and decided that I wanted to support Marie Curie in whatever way I could.
"Marie Curie Nurses do excellent work in Wirral behind closed doors. It's really important we raise awareness of the care they provide and raise money to help continued their excellent work.
"We've never had a charity of the year before, so along with the birth of our new foal Pattie, we have a lot to celebrate."
Colette Byrne, Marie Curie Cancer Care's community fundraiser for Merseyside, said: "Our nurses give free hands-on care to people with terminal illnesses in their own homes and vital emotional support to their loved ones.
"But the sad fact is, every five minutes someone in the UK dies without the care they need at the end of their life.
"That's why we urgently need to reach more people - and why we're counting on your support."
To support Karen's fundraising efforts, visit www.facebook.com/pages/Larton-Riding-School
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