A GRIEVING daughter has organised a Christmas shopping extravaganza to fulfil her father’s dying wish.

Natalie Deacon, 37, who lost her dad Peter Whitcombe, 60, to cancer last month, will stage a Laindon Christmas shopping afternoon to raise money for Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research in his memory.

Mrs Deacon of Lutea Close, Laindon, said: “Dad was diagnosed with leukaemia two years ago and passed away three months ago.

“He said he still wanted us to go ahead with the charity event. It was his dying wish.”

Last year the event – also staged to raise money for leukaemia research – was a roaring success and attracted up to 600 people.

Mrs Deacon added: “Dad fell ill two years ago and we started fundraising for leukaemia research. When his condition worsened, we thought about calling it off, but dad said, ‘I just want you to carry on’, so we did.”

At the event there will beamixture of stalls selling household products and Christmas gifts, handmade cards, jewellery and make-up, and entertainment.

There will be also be a raffle, cake competition and a silent auction.

Mrs Deacon said: “I’d like to pass a huge thank you to all the businesses for their support: That Essex Printer for printing the leaflets for free, LJR Beauty and Headlines Hairdressers for donating £500 of beauty products to the silent auction, and P&O Ferries, Pizza Hut, Summerhill Garden Centre, Adventure Island, Alton Garden Centre and Empire Cinema for donating raffle prizes.”

Tyler Estates, inBillericay, canvassed Steeple View and Noak Bridge with leaflets, and are also providing an auction lot, where they will sell a home for free.

The event is from 1pm to 5pm at the Steepleview Memorial Hall, in Laindon this Saturday.

Entrance is £2 for adults, with children free.

For more information, contact n77njd@aol.com