Pamper evening held in popular Harleston woman’s honour
Helen Hughes attending the pamper evening in Harleston. - Credit: Archant
A Harleston woman terminally ill with a rare degenerative neurological condition was left feeling overwhelmed after residents turned out in their droves to support her at a pamper evening held in her honour.
Carolyn Passey is throwing a pamper evening to raise money for Harleston resident Helen Hughes who suffers from MSA? - Credit: Archant Norfolk
Carolyn Passey described how she had felt humbled after bumping into a wheelchair-bound Helen Hughes and discovering she was losing all her mobility from Multiple System Atrophy (MSA).
So having set up her own beauty company, she organised a pamper and social fund-raising evening in honour of her long-standing friend.
'Helen has always looked after herself and taken pride in how she looks,' Mrs Passey explained.
'I thought that she deserves a bit of a social occasion so rather than just do a pamper night, I thought: 'Let's do a party night for her.''
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The event at Chameleon House, Redenhall Road, Harleston - which was attended by Mrs Hughes and her family - was packed with well-wishers and surpassed all expectations, raising about £750 for the MSA Trust.
'Helen was absolutely overwhelmed at the support of the local people,' Mrs Passey said.
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'She thoroughly enjoyed it and did get emotional when trying to say 'thank you' to everyone. The local people really turned out for her.'
She added that businesses and residents gave support event, with many donating raffle prizes.
Mrs Passey thanked those who had helped, particularly Ginni Ashken, who helped organise the evening.
Harleston's Cafe No. 5, where Mrs Hughes used to work, has already held an awareness and fund-raising month this year. Daughter Grace Hughes, who works at the London Road cafe herself, has described how her mother's illness 'has been devastating on the whole family and her friends' – but that: 'We are not going to let it stop us.
Are you organising a charity event? Email newsdesk@archant.co.uk
