A CHARITABLE Halesowen fundraiser is hoping to create a lasting tribute to her brother by raising money in his memory.

Lynda Parsons will be selling her handmade greetings cards in aid of Worldwide Cancer Research at Hurst Green Methodist Church on Saturday (October 7).

A leukaemia sufferer herself, Lynda started making cards following her brother Steven Pearsall’s death from stomach cancer in 2011.

She said: “It was a terrible time in our lives. Steven was my younger brother, he was only 48 at the time.

“After he died in the August, I was diagnosed with Leukaemia in September and then my dad had to be put into a home due to his terrible dementia.

“It was the worst two years of my life, but to take my mind off everything that was going on I started making greeting cards.

“My family and friends loved them and I was soon getting orders in from them, as well as my neighbours.

“I now make so many that I have to start on my Christmas cards in July, because as well as making my own, I do them for my family and close friends.

“I still get other people asking me to make their Christmas cards, but unfortunately I just don’t have the time!”

Lynda – who will be selling cards at the Narrow Lane church from 10am until noon – used to hold card sales in aid of the cancer charity in her living room, but began struggling for space.

“Luckily, one of my neighbours is a member of Hurst Green Methodist Church and they asked the church if we could start selling them there and they were more than happy to help me,” she said.

“I have got so many cards to sell on Saturday – for all occasions. I thought I would rather make too many than not have enough.

“I’m selling them as cheap as I can as I want to raise as much money as possible for the charity. They start from £1, up to £3.50 for large ones which come in a box.

“I use lots of different materials to make them – ribbons, lace, buttons, glitter – all sorts of stuff, and some of them can take me up to a whole day to make.”

Every penny Lynda raises at the card sale will be donated to Worldwide Cancer Research in Steven’s memory.

She added: “I wanted to create a lasting tribute to Steven, and everything I have raised so far has gone straight back into Steve’s fund, and to date I’ve raised about £600 for research.

“The charity is doing brilliant work and making progress on all fronts, not just in one particular type of cancer.

“The outlook for Leukaemia these days is much better, whereas for diseases like stomach cancer, just like my brother had, is not so good.

“That is why I support Worldwide Cancer Research, because we need to work together as a world – not just in the UK – to find a cure to these horrid diseases.”