FUNDRAISING efforts for a daughter who lost her life last year after battling long-term illnesses took place at The Causeway pub.

Emma O’Rourke, who lived in Stockton Heath, died last October, aged just 25, following battles with Addison’s disease and ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory bowel disease.

First diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in 1999, brave Emma struggled with illness throughout her life and was a patient at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital for eight years.

A total of £400 was raised for Alder Hey Children’s Charity during the day –organised by family and friends – which featured a dominoes competition at the pub, on Wilderspool Causeway.

“You can’t even explain how hard it is not having Emma here,” said mother Marie O’Rourke.

“It has always been very hard knowing any day that your child could possibly die is the worst thing that you can ever go through.

“With the first anniversary of her passing away coming up, it was nice to do the fundraising to remember her.”

It has proved to be a difficult period for family and friends but such events in remembrance for Emma are sure to take place each year from those closest to her.

“It was a brilliant day and it was pleasing to see all the people that did turn up to help raise the money for Emma,” said family friend Dave Pointon, who lives in Latchford.

“Quite a bit of planning went into it and finding a suitable date for people to be there took a bit of time, but the owners at the pub really helped us out by letting us put it on there.

“Hopefully we will do fundraising events like this every year for Emma’s memory and get as many people involved as we can.

“Everyone there enjoyed the day but the best thing about it was that it was put on for Emma, to remember her.”