A TAMESIDE girl’s legacy lives on through a charity in her name which continues to raise awareness and funds for community defibrillators.
Love of Lacey was established after seven-year-old Lacey Warburton’s death in 2018 in her father’s arms after playing during a camping trip near Halifax.
A coroner ruled Lacey’s death was down to Sudden Unexplained Death in Children, with Lacey possibly having had a weak heart.
Lacey and her family were part of the Ashton and Stalybridge communities, and her parents Ray and Jodie now live in Dukinfield.
The charity’s mission is to raise vital funds for public defibrillators but its overarching aspiration is to eventually acquire a retreat where bereaved families who have lost a child can find solace and respite.
Butterflies feature on the charity’s logo, representing Lacey’s nickname which was ‘little butterfly’.
The charity is inviting children to share their colourful ‘Love of Lacey’ or butterfly pictures via its social media pages – after receiving two beautiful artistic contributions from nine-year-old Sophia-Lilly and 12-year-old Sophia.
Love of Lacey – which previously had a charity shop based on Stamford Street in Ashton-under-Lyne – does not receive any government funding and has a core team of just six people, as well as support from a number of volunteers.
The charity has recently donated two defibrillators – one to The Wheatsheaf pub in Dukinfield and another to the Romiley Cadets.
A spokesperson said: “We sourced them through generous donations from our community, local businesses and fundraising events. Their support helps us place these life-saving devices in community locations.”
Lacey’s dad Ray and his long-time football friends launched The Love of Lacey FC football team following her death.
Up until now, the team has played charity matches and local games but it will now be joining the Tameside league in September, made possible by generous sponsorship from AO.com.
By playing further afield, the charity hopes its cause will reach an even wider audience and carry forward Lacey’s legacy on the pitch.
The team is looking for new players to join, but that’s not the only way the local community can support the charity.
Love of Lacey will also be holding a fun day event in August, with more details to be announced soon.
The Rock Shopping Centre in Bury has also been gifted space for a fundraising event on September 6 – featuring face painting, a tombola, glitter tattoos, and an appearance from the charity’s Lacey Bear mascot.
“People can also support Love of Lacey by donating and sharing our posts on Facebook and Instagram,” said a charity spokesperson.
“Your help lets us place defibrillators and support families in need. We believe Lacey’s legacy, and the work of Love of Lacey, continues to be a powerful story of community spirit and hope.”
Anyone who would like to support the charity can get in touch with the team by emailing loveoflacey01@gmail.com
Donations can also be made via the charity’s PayPal Giving Fund here