A FESTIVAL of Christmas will be taking place next month to help a Weymouth woman match the fundraising total achieved by her beloved mother.

The free to enter Mrs Darling’s Festival of Christmas is being held on Saturday, November 5 in memory of Pat Norman, who passed away earlier this year.

Pat’s daughter Alison Honnor is holding the homemade produce extravaganza at Upwey Old School village hall from 11am until 3pm.

A feast of cakes, food, local art and craft and refreshments will be on offer to the public to raise money for three local cancer charities.

Pat passed away on May 31 this year, aged 65, after a five-year battle with bowel cancer and cancerous lymph nodes.

Throughout this time she tirelessly fundraised, raising £1,500 for the Fortuneswell Cancer Trust.

Former college lecturer Alison Honnor said: “I’m on a journey to raise £1,500 – the same as my mum.

“I want to match her – if I can raise more, then great. I started off holding Mrs Darling’s tabletop sales about three or four years ago to give my mum a focus. She made various art and craft designs to sell, all inspired by the seasons and I held tabletop sales at my home.

“All my friends and mum’s friends encouraged me to keep going after mum passed away this May. The tabletop sales have grown so big that I’m now hiring a hall. This is a big step for me to take but I really want this to be a successful event.”

The events were dubbed ‘Mrs Darling’ because of their 1950s feel and Alison said she hoped her mum’s memory would live on through her becoming the face of Mrs Darling on posters, logos and labels designed by Nikki Davies from Wowz.

Alison added: “Mum was a loving, caring person and everyone who met her loved her dearly.”

Proceeds from festive fayre will go to Julias’s House children’s hospice, the Fortuneswell Cancer Trust and a local hospice. Anyone wishing to help can call Alison on 07785 918180.