A FAMILY are planning a second charity ball in memory of a much-loved husband and dad who died from a brain tumour.

Craig Rowe’s wife Aimee, 39, and his mum, Helen, both from Wickford, are organising a special Valentines ball to be held on February 10 next year to mark the fifth anniversary since his death.

In 2004, Craig was diagnosed with a brain tumour aged just 29 and set about battling it.

He endured surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy continuously for eight years until he passed away in February 2013 aged 37.

The charity ball will raise money for two local charities: The J’s Hospice and St Lukes Hospice.

Aimee said: “They were amazing in their care for my husband and all the family."

Speaking about the J’s Hospice, Helen said: “They support the whole family.

“They even arranged for him, his young son, his wife, her mum and dad and myself to go to Disneyland Paris, to have some lasting memories for all of us.

“As Craig’s condition deteriorated, they assisted in gaining admission to St Luke’s Hospice in Basildon on Christmas Eve 2012.

“They cared for him and allowed the whole family to spend Christmas with him.”

The J’s Hospice provide tailored nursing, respite and end of life care, advice and advocacy, emotional care, bereavement support and a range of activities for young adults and their family in the comfort and security of their own home.

St Luke’s Hospice provide specialist care for people who have an advanced disease, as well as those who love and care for them, in a warm caring and friendly environment.

Craig’s family held a Las Vegas-themed charity ball the year after he died raising a huge £18,000 for the charities.

Craig had visited Las Vegas before he died as it was on his bucket list.

The family are hoping for the same success in this next charity ball and want to raise as much money as possible.

The Valentines-themed ball again has the support of the Holiday Inn, James Sinclair and his team at Partyman World, many local businesses, friends and family.

Craig’s family would also welcome any offers of prizes for raffle or larger auction prizes to help raise as much as possible.

Helen added: “It’s been more of a struggle to sell tickets this time because it’s so soon after Christmas. People are struggling more with money and its hard to commit but it really is for a fantastic cause.

“By companies being very generous and donating prizes it enables us to maximise our income to benefit both The J’s and St Luke’s hospices.”

The black tie ball will be held at the Holiday Inn, Basildon on February 10, 2018. Tickets are £50 per person and can be booked by emailing aimee_rowe@yahoo.co.uk or hrowe162@gmail.com.