A PRIMARY school teacher who lost her dad to lung cancer earlier this year is fundraising in his memory.
Lauren Lyddiatt, 22, is organising a variety of fundraisers for Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation following the death of her father Chris Lyddiatt, 56.
Chris, who lived in Poole, died after a four week battle with lung cancer, and Lauren's fundraising endeavours are starting with the Brighton Marathon on September 12.
Lauren said: "We are starting with the marathon, but we are also going to run an annual golf event at Wareham Golf Club where dad played. We have provisionally booked it for his birthday next year, Friday August 5.
"Dad loved sports, so there is going to be a sport aspect to every fundraiser that we do. He played golf at Wareham Golf Club and was a founding member of David Lloyd Poole.
"I’m 22 and I don’t have my dad, it is terrible. His death was a shock for everyone but it is really important we get something good to come out of this situation. Raising funds is important but in my eyes, the aim of this is to raise awareness.
"On May 16 2021 dad was diagnosed with a suspected blood clot. On June 13 he was diagnosed with stage four metastatic lung cancer.
"Four weeks later on July 17 Dad passed in Poole Hospital and mum and I were holding his hand.
"As soon as my dad passed away my boyfriend Harvey Nichols said he would run the Brighton Marathon for him.
"I decided that I can use my experience to make sure other people do not go through this."
Lauren and Harvey's initial fundraising target was was £560 to "honour the 56 years of dad’s amazing life", but over £1,000 has already been raised.
Lauren said: "It is so lovely to see how many people are leaving comments on the fundraiser. The only way to describe it is that it makes me feel really full to see how many people loved and appreciated my dad. It is helping with the grieving process.
"I’m trying to get lots of positives to come from this as I do not want anyone else to go through this. Four weeks is such a short amount of time.
"It makes you appreciate life and how precious it is, especially at the moment with Covid-19. Life is tough but you’ve got to keep going."
To support Lauren and Harvey, visit www.gofundme.com/f/harveys-marathon-fundraiser
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