Wrexham friends rally to organise fundraiser in wake of family bereavements

Nikki Haxton-Jones, along with friends Lorna Cronin, Lisa Taylor, Kerrie Devine-Davies and Joanne Hughes, is organising the event.

Nikki, a mum of two, lost her husband Danny - a firefighter - suddenly after he collapsed on the job in 2017.

Nikki is originally from Wrexham but now lives in Kent and for the last two years has been fundraising in her husband's memory.

She said: "It happened so suddenly that I didn't have time to come to grips with it.

"It's difficult to describe but there was just a feeling of numbness before it all sunk in; my kids were only 9 and 10 at the time - our whole world came crashing down.

"But the fire brigade and the the Fire Service Charity have been so incredibly supportive in the wake of Danny's death - and I just want to give something back to them."

And her friend Lisa lost her step dad, Dave, to cancer just weeks before Nikki's bereavement.

Nikki and Lisa have undertaken various fundraising activities over the last couple of year's, including doing the Great North Run.

Nikki added: "We wanted to make a difference to other people; at Danny's funeral we asked for donations to the charity instead of flowers.

"In our mourning, we just want to try and help people as best we can."

The money has been raised in aid of both The Firefighters Charity and Nightingale House Hospice - which cared for Dave in his final days.

And on October 26, a charity fundraiser will be held in aid of the charities.

The night will see a charity race nice and 90s disco at Brymbo Social and Cricket Club open to everyone, but especially to anyone who attended Ysgol Bryn Alyn, in Gwersyllt, as this event is doubling up as a school reunion.

All five friends attended the school, leaving in 1996 and admission to the event is £5.

Anyone wishing to donate can do so at http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-display/showROFundraiserPage?userUrl=NikkiHaxtonJones&pageUrl=4

For more information contact nlhaxtonjones@gmail.com