A FUNDRAISER event which saw people wear odd socks for a day in memory of a woman from Colwyn Bay who died last year raised more than £1,000.

Ellen Worstencroft, who ran her own business in the town, died aged 27 on April 7, 2023 after sadly taking her own life.

In her memory, a community interest company called Ellen’s Wishes was set up last October.

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Her mother, Alison McMillan, had asked if people could wear odd socks – a trait of Ellen’s – on what would have been her 28th birthday, March 24, and make a £2 donation to the organisation in doing so.

A total of £1,050 was raised for Ellen’s Wishes, far exceeding Alison’s initial target of £200.

She and Ellen’s brother and sister also took part in the fundraiser while at Disneyland, meanwhile.

Alison said she was “overwhelmed” by the amount raised and thanked those who donated and took part.

“We set out initially just to raise £200, but we smashed it. We just weren’t expecting that; we were really, really pleased,” she said.

“Rather than rush to go and spend it, we’ll wait until we hear of a local cause or appeal, and then if it fits with our remit of just making things more comfortable for people, we’ll donate to that.

“As a group, we’ve had a chat about what we want to do.

“One of the people involved wants to look at putting together wellbeing packs for a women’s refuge, and a friend of Ellen’s is running the Chester Half Marathon in May.

“A friend of mine had said to me beforehand that Ellen’s birthday is a day that deserves to be celebrated.

“I think doing odd socks on her birthday gave us an opportunity to find some way of celebrating her day.”

So far, Ellen’s Wishes has made donations to various good causes and wants to continue helping others in Ellen’s name.

Last month, Alison described Ellen as a “kind, helpful and thoughtful person who would always help whoever she could whenever she could”.

For more information about Ellen’s Wishes, visit its Facebook page.