By Leicester Mercury | Posted 31 May, 2013
A miniature train locomotive enthusiast has raised more than £1,000 for two charities which helped him and his late wife through the pain and heartbreak of her final months.
The death of Kim Shillcock, a youth worker from Ibstock, has left a huge hole in the lives of people who knew and loved her, says widower Paul.
Kim, who dedicated her life to helping young people in her home village, died on Friday, January 25, at the age of 51.
After being diagnosed with bowel cancer last year, nurses from LOROS and Macmillan Cancer Support helped Kim and her family.
Paul, 51, said: "I wouldn't have been able to cope without their help and neither would Kim.
"They were absolutely brilliant, the both of them, they were there for us."
Nurses from the charities visited the couple, providing palliative care to Kim and giving Paul and the couple's three children, Andrew, Catherine and Amy, a shoulder to lean on.
To say thank you, Paul's family, friends and fellow enthusiasts from North West Leicestershire Model Engineering Society held a fund-raising day.
Hundreds of people attended the event at Hermitage recreation ground, in Whitwick.
Visitors enjoyed rides on six miniature trains, including Kim Elizabeth, Paul's mini-Royal Scot locomotive named after his late wife.
A total of £1,185 was raised on the day from rides, a raffle and stalls.
"It would have been Kim's 52nd birthday," said Paul.
"It was a very sad day in one sense but also a celebration of Kim's life – all her family and friends were there.
"I was gob-smacked at how everyone came together to help and can't praise them enough for their support. I know Kim would have been very proud of us."
The money will be divided between the two charities, along with a further £400 raised in donations at Kim's funeral.
An additional £200 raised at the service will pay for a memorial bench at Ibstock Youth Centre, in Central Avenue.
Diane Morris, fund-raising manager for LOROS, in Groby Road, Leicester, said: "We are very grateful to Paul for helping to raise these valuable funds.
"It's a very kind gesture, particularly at such a sad and difficult time for him and his family."
