Support for centre is Leigh’s legacy

BRAVE . . . Leigh (above and below, left) continued to support cancer charities while undergoing treatment

Fund-raising event in memory of cancer victim


A FUND-RAISING dinner is being held in memory of inspiring Leigh Carlisle, who lost her battle with cancer last August.

The 28-year-old, from Failsworth, was one of the youngest people in the UK to be diagnosed with mesothelioma, a form of lung cancer caused by exposure to asbestos which usually affects older people.

Leigh continued to support and raise money for cancer charities even while she was undergoing chemotherapy.

In December, she was posthumously awarded a Pride In Oldham Award honouring her determination and courage.

The Leigh Carlisle fundraising event is being held at Ashton Masonic Hall on April 18. Tickets for the dinner dance cost £25 and proceeds are in aid of Oldham Cancer Support Centre, in Failsworth, which Leigh attended.

Her mum Sheila said: “The centre helped Leigh a great deal. She had counselling where she could speak through things, her anxieties, and she also had treatments like reiki and reflexology.

“The reiki helped her quite a lot. She was on oxygen tanks and when she had the treatment she felt that she could breathe more easily for a couple of weeks.

“We want to keep helping the centre, to try and raise its profile and to put some money back into it because it is such a worthwhile cause.

“We also want to raise awareness that mesothelioma isn’t just something that affects the elderly. Leigh got it and she wanted to raise awareness of that.”

The Leigh Carlisle Foundation has been set up to continue her work supporting cancer charities, and Sheila added: “She did a lot of fundraising for Cancer Research, even though she was really poorly.

“When she was on chemotherapy she would do things like standing outside Morrison’s collecting money or speaking for Oldham Cancer Support Centre at meetings.

“She never once asked ‘why me?’.That was her, so helpful and so brave. We are so proud of her.”

Tickets for the dinner dance are available from 0161-684 9466 or 07779-092925. Sheila is also appealing for people to sponsor the event and donate raffle and auction prizes.