A MOTHER of two who died suddenly in August has inspired a major fundraising drive.
Sarah Freeman, of Radstock Way, Merstham, was just 40 when she suffered a brain aneurysm. She worked as a supervisor at the Poundland store in Redhill and had been a tireless fundraiser for charity.
Over the last four years, she raised at least £4,000 for Children In Need thanks to a series of raffles and auctions. Now her family are determined that her good work continues this year.
Backed by an outpouring of goodwill from the community, they have collected more than 30 prizes for a raffle for the same worthy cause.
It will be drawn at Merstham Village Club in Station Road North next Friday.
Her mother, Barbara, who also lives in Radstock Way, said: "Sarah's death was so unexpected it felt like a light had suddenly been switched off.
"She was such a popular and well-known girl. She had the gift of the gab to persuade businesses and others to donate raffle prizes, and Children In Need was a cause close to her heart.
"We are continuing the fundraising this year in her memory. People have been so nice and we've had a wonderful response."
Raffle prizes this year will include rounds of golf at both Reigate Hill Golf Club and Reigate and Redhill Golf Club, tickets to Chessington World of Adventures, a beauty makeover and a photoshoot with a professional cameraman.
Sarah's twin sister, Lisa, who lives in Spain and works in the Barcelona FC shop, has persuaded Lionel Messi and team-mates to sign a club shirt which will be auctioned on the night.
A new bicycle worth £195 has also been donated by the Bikes Revived store in nearby Portland Drive. Lee Thewless, its chief mechanic, said: "Sarah was a popular person raising money for a good cause so we're delighted to help out. We must have sold more than 100 raffle tickets here alone."
Tickets at £1 per strip are on sale in the bike shop as well as the village club and in the Cuticles salon in Portland Drive.
