'I hope we've done Kristina proud ...'

FAMILY SUPPORTS CANCER RESEARCH WITH A TRIBUTE BALL FOR BELOVED DAUGHTER

- By LAURA CROSS

AN East Yorkshire family has held a tribute ball in memory of their beloved daughter and sister.

Kristina sadly passed away from ovarian cancer in 2021.

Lesley Bowser, together with her husband Philip and son Richard, organised 'Kristina's Butterfly Ball' at the Lazaat Hotel in Cottingham. Together they raised over £6,700 to help bring more pioneering cancer research to people in Yorkshire.

Since 2021, the family known as 'Team Bowser' - has raised over £20,000 to support the work of Yorkshire Cancer Research, helping find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer in Yorkshire.

Their fundraising activities have included holding tractor runs and coffee mornings to selling craft goods, taking on walking challenges and running an allotment honesty box, with the help of Kristina's grandparents and friends.

Their most recent fundraising event - Kristina's Butterfly Ball - was especially meaningful.

Lesley said: "Kristina loved a good party and wanted us to have a big celebration of her life after she passed away.

"She left us special instructions to have lots of fun, music and food, take lots of selfies and write messages and memories. Unfortunately, the pandemic meant we couldn't do this at the time.

"Now, four years on, we finally brought her vision to life. Nearly 240 people came together to pay tribute to her and those who couldn't make it sent in generous donations."