Ipswich: Children’s tasty thank-you in memory of mum Sam Vine

Heartfelt tributes have today been paid to a loving mum who lost her five-year battle with cancer – as her family raise around £3,000 in her memory.

Charity Cake sale held by Eloise Vine whose mother Samantha died recently of Breast Cancer (Image: Archant)

Described as friendly and bubbly, Sam Vine, 38, died at St Elizabeth Hospice on April 18.

As they come to terms with losing their treasured mum, 11-year-old Eloise Vine and her brother Bradley, eight, decided to show their thanks to the staff who cared for her.

The pair organised a cake sale at their home in Fairfield Road, Ipswich, last week. And they were astounded when the whole street came out to show their support, helping them net £900 for the cause.

Dad Jason, a traffic supervisor with Ipswich Buses, said: “Sam only stayed there for one day but they treated her really well and the children wanted to do something to help the hospice.

“I said that it didn’t matter how much they raised, but in the end it was unbelievable. They did really well. When we started counting the money with my sister-in-law we broke down, really.

“It was nice with all the money that we have raised in such a short time but it was very emotional for us because of the reason we were raising it.”

The family have now raised about £3,000 for the hospice in the months after Sam’s death through fundraisers including the Midnight Walk.

The family were also helped on the day by Sam’s sister, Emma Andrews, and her children Amie and Harry.

Sam and Jason first met when they were 16 and were due to celebrate their 15th wedding anniversary in July.

Jason said: “Everyone that knew Sam would say she was always smiling, even through her illness.

“People knew her as a friendly and bubbly person – there are no bad words for her. She was a very caring mum.”

Jason thanked everyone who helped to make the cake sale a success and also praised the leadership at Holbrook Primary School, which both Eloise and Bradley attend, for their support since Sam’s death.

He added: “The school has been fantastic with the children – they have been so supportive. They let people come to the school to talk to them if they ever get upset.”