A grieving daughter says she has been moved by support after more than £1,500 was raised in donations in memory of her mum.

Sylvia Cartledge died at home on Sugar Lane, Rainow, aged 71 on May 5 after battling oesophagus cancer for only a few months.

And after her daughter, Louise Upton, and her family started to collect donations for the Macmillan nurses which had helped to care for her mum, Louise was amazed as more and more money flooded in.

Now the family are planning further fundraising activities to help raise money for the charity, including taking part in Manchester’s Race for Life on Sunday, July 13.

Louise, of Princess Drive, Bollington, said: “Mum never smoked and didn’t drink. She wasn’t your average 71 year old so her death was unexpected – she went to the gym three times a week and still worked part-time at Scissors, my brother Paul’s shop, until she became ill.

“The whole family are totally overwhelmed at the donations we have received in her memory – more than £1,500 for the McMillan nurses.

“We started collecting after the funeral because of the great care she got from the nurses. Her funeral was held at Rainow Church. We played Queen songs because mum was a massive Freddie Mercury fan.

“Mum knew she was dying so she made all the arrangements – she even wanted Another One Bites the Dust played. She was like that, always positive and fun.”

Sylvia was born in Macclesfield and went to school at St Georges and Central School before going on to work for Halle Models then Elwood Model Shop on Mill Street. She is survived by her husband, Lewis, her two sons, three daughters, her nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Louise added: “Our friends have all donated and even the Water’s Green Fish Bar that she used to go to every Friday night gave us some money for the collection.

“Lisa Bailey also held a night at her home where she cooked for loads of people and asked them to donate – she raised a brilliant £225, so altogether we’re hoping to raise more than £2,000 when we have finished fundraising.

“I would also like to thank everyone that has donated so far, it truly is amazing to have raised such a large amount. and completely overwhelming”

If you’d like to donate to the family as they continue to raise funds, you can do so at justgiving.com/hollyuptonx.a