FAMILY, friends and supporters of Barry ovarian cancer campaigner, Lesley Woolcock will stage a candlelight-themed awareness event on what would have been her 48th birthday (November 15).

The event at Merthyr Dyfan chapel at Barry cemetery, had first been proposed earlier this year, but Mrs Woolcock was admitted to Cardiff’s University Hospital of Wales on the eve of her meeting with Barry Town Council.

Everyone is invited to buy candles from the Barry Town Council offices on Gladstone Road, Barry, to raise funds and awareness for the Target Ovarian Cancer charity.

Mrs Woolcock had tirelessly campaigned to raise funds and awareness for Ovarian Cancer and related charitable causes after she was diagnosed with the medical condition in 2014.

The grandmother-of-two, who died before her grandson was born, died on May 17 this year.

A social media campaign to enable Arsenal and England football legend hero Ian Wright to meet, saw him call her up on the phone and promise to visit.

But Mrs Woolcock’s condition deteriorated before he could make it to her Barry home.

She raised thousands of pounds for charity, while undergoing treatment, while also raising awareness about ovarian cancer and the need for early diagnosis.

Her family and friends are now keeping her legacy and awareness mission alive by staging the event in her memory – vowing to continue the former Vale of Glamorgan Council play development worker’s mission.

Event co-organiser and Mrs Woolcock’s friend, Amanda Benson invited all to attend the event.

Mrs Benson, 32, a mum-of-three, of Barry, said: “We are hoping to cover the chapel with candles to raise awareness for Target Ovarian cancer and remember her.”

Life-long friend, Trish Barlow added: “It was a cause Lesley believed in and we loved her very much. We’ve got to keep her memory alive.”

Barry Morrisons has donated candles for supporters to buy to raise funds for the charity.

Mrs Woolcock’s sister, Alison Woolcock, 45, said: “We are hoping to raise the profile of ovarian cancer and get people to recognise the early symptoms. Early diagnosis is vital. We want to keep Lesley’s campaign going.”

Mrs Woolcock thanked Barry Town Council, Barry Morrisons, Queen Bee, in Penarth, and Dominic Rees for their support.

People are invited to take to Twitter to remember Lesley, with the hashtags #LightUpForLesley and #TargetOvarianCancer and post photos of themselves with the lit candles on the LightUpForLesley Facebook page.

LightUpForLesley is at Merthyr Dyfan chapel, Barry cemetery, from 6pm on Tuesday, November 15.