My name is Emma and in June 2024 I was diagnosed with terminal cancer after my 3rd time of fighting the disease (lung cancer and breast cancer twice).

Edith's Purse is my legacy, helping families with children who are in financial difficulty. Having adopted 2 children and working in local primary schools as a volunteer, governor and dinner supervisor, I have seen first hand how rife deprivation is within our community. Children who come to school hungry with no or very little lunch, going to bed at night without a hot meal. Coming into school without a warm coat and clothes that do not fit. A few of these children are caring for their parents who are suffering with ill health or a disability. Some of these families have lost a parent - something that will happen for my own children in the not to distant future.

No one knows what's around the corner and your circumstances can change quickly and without warning. Suddenly you are in a situation where you have to choose between keeping a roof over your children's heads or feeding them.

Edith's Purse will help families by providing financial assistance, food parcels and gifts for children. We have begun to raise funds by receiving donations and holding fundraising events and rely on the generosity of the community.

We are currently in the process of getting Edith's Purse registered and my husband and children have vowed to continue with it after I have gone.

Edith's Purse is named in tribute to my

paternal nan, Edith Waterfield, who like me had breast cancer twice and died 9 months before I was born. She was mum to 10 children and she had very little, but everyone who knew her says what a wonderful kind, caring woman she was.

We have already raised over £7000 via other platforms, but we need to keep this momentum going.

Please give whatever you can afford and share our story. You can find Edith's Purse on facebook and follow our story there. Thank you for your support.