THE family of a popular Darlington woman who died of a rare cancer aged just 52 have raised thousands of pounds in her memory.

Claire Glass, from Cleasby, near Darlington, died in 2018 after undergoing treatment for a rare melanoma cancer on her vaginal wall.

On Saturday, Cleasby village hall was packed with people keen to raise money in her memory for the Eve Appeal, which raises awareness about gynaecological cancer.

The event, which had been due to take place two years ago, has raised more than £3,000.

Read more: When you can see Brenda Blethyn filming for ITV Vera in Darlington

Daughter Laura Tomlinson, from Hurworth, 32, said: “It was really overwhelming actually because we had so much support.

“The sheer volume of people who donated goes to show how loved she was.

“She was very sociable and outgoing. She had so many friends. The thing I learned from her was that if you make an effort with other people then they make the effort with you and that really showed. She was so loved."

The Northern Echo:

Mrs Glass’ six grandchildren attended the event, helping out on the tombola, while her mother Mavis Pettler was selling raffle tickets and husband Andrew Glass was in the kitchen and her other daughter Hannah Johnson also working to put the day together.

They were inundated with donations of cakes and raffle and tombola prizes.

Among them were special ‘Lady G’ cupcakes – a nod to Mrs Glass' nickname – made by baker Julie Hope.

Mrs Tomlinson, who is a midwife in Darlington, is passionate about raising awareness about gynaecological health and used the event to encourage women to get their smear tests and get anything unusual checked out.

She said: “It was quite a tricky diagnosis. She didn’t have symptoms apart from not being able to put in a tampon. She went to the GP but I know some people wouldn’t want to talk about it.

“I work as a midwife and I’ve never had a problem talking about women’s health. I find people in their 20s and 30s have a bit more confidence to a talk about things when they are not right but there are a lot of pre-menopausal women who think it won’t be anything serious because of their age.”

She added: “I’m surrounded by women all day and I’m always asking if people are up to date with smear tests. It doesn’t phase me at all. I feel strongly about pushing people to get things checked out.”

Read more: Pictures: Prince Charles visits Darlington and County Durham

Mrs Glass, who was a training and recruitment manager and previously ran her own ironing business Lady G’s, underwent treatment in 2017 to remove the melanoma and was given the all clear in December of that year. However, in 2018 she found it had returned and spread further.

Mrs Tomlinson added: “If she hadn’t had the confidence to go to the doctor the first time then we could have lost her in 2017 and we wouldn’t have had any of 2018 together. I had a baby in that time so she would never have met Blossom.”

The Northern Echo:

The Northern Echo:

Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

You can also follow our dedicated Darlington Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.

For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.

Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054