Sarah's flower power raises £7,500 for charity
A SHEFFIELD woman who set up a floristry business in the name of her daughter, who died of cancer at 19 weeks, has raised more than £7,500 for a charity supporting young patients and their families.
Ten per cent of sales at FlowersForLaura.com go to the Parents Association of Children with Tumours, which helps children receiving treatment in the oncology ward at Sheffield Children's Hospital.
The business was started 18 months ago by Sarah Turpin, aged 43, of Totley, who lost Laura to Acute Myeloid Leukaemia. Since then Sarah has worked tirelessly to raise the profile of the charity, using her flowers and floristry skills and working with friends and family.
More than 2,000 of the 7,500 was raised by joining forces with local fashion designer Elizabeth E Edwards, floral artist Wendy Carlton, media consultant Cheryl Galsworthy and photographer Tracey Welch in the Floral ImPACT through a series of floral themed fashion shows last year.
Sarah said: "These hugely talented people have taken Laura, my cause and PACT to their hearts and pooled their creativity to help raise this money. It's incredible – I cannot thank them enough."
Her exciting but extremely emotional journey has seen the company produce flowers for celebrities including Joan Armatrading and Bianca Jagger and for more than 30 weddings, all helping to keep Sarah moving forward after her tragic loss.
Floral demonstrations to local women's groups, including branches of the Women's Institute and Townswomen's Guild, have alone generated more than 1,600.
"I have been overwhelmed by the response and generosity of the people in Sheffield.
"All charities do important work and I do everything I can to support other cancer-related charities but PACT will always be my main focus because of the wonderful treatment Laura received and the need to support those children suffering."
Sarah has also turned her floristry skills to supporting Macmillan Cancer Care, Cavendish Cancer Care and Amy's Retreat, donating bouquets for prizes at coffee mornings, quiz nights and a fashion show.
lPACT was founded in Sheffield in 1977 with a donation of 113, when eight parents created a support group for families whose children had cancer. In 1977 a child with cancer had a 55% chance of being alive 10 years after diagnosis. The figure is now more than 75%.
BUY ONLINE: The Sheffield Telegraph and Property Guide are now out every Thursday. To sign up on line click here.
MORE:
Local News
Local Sport
Arts Guide
Community News
Listings Guide
Restaurant Guide
Letters
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Sheffield
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
Heavy snow
Temperature: -2 C to -0 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 1 C to 5 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: West
