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You are here: Home | Magazine | Holidays/Events | Outstanding Family Awards 2010 | Candis Outstanding Family of the Year Awards 2008 | North West Regional Winner

North West Regional Winner

The Fairhurst family from Wigan, Lancashire

Sheila, 51, and Trevor Fairhurst, 54, were utterly devastated when their 19-year-old daughter Carly was killed by her partner of four years in a violent attack in 2006.

Overwhelmed with grief, Sheila came to depend on counselling from Victim Support Wigan, to which she says she owes her life. So, when the service was placed under threat because of a lack of money, the couple took action and set up the Carly Louise Fairhurst Fund raising more than £17,000.

"After Carly died I went downhill fast," says Sheila.

"I was consumed with grief and even tried to take my own life; I just wanted to be with Carly and couldn't bear the thought that I would never see her again.

"Our police liaison officer put me in touch with Victim Support who arranged counselling for me. I was in therapy at least twice a week for a year; usually people only receive six weeks.

"I couldn't bear the thought that others may not have the same lifeline in future."

The Fairhursts have channelled all of their energy into raising as much money for the Fund as they can, while also keeping awareness of domestic violence firmly in the public eye.

"We don't want anyone to suffer in silence like Carly did. We just wish she'd spoken out," says Trevor. "We know nothing will ever bring Carly back but anything we ?can do to stop the same thing happening to another young woman brings us comfort."

Sheila and Trevor's son Michael, 24, his partner, Shelley, 21, and her family are also involved in the Fund and assisted in the organisation of Concert for Carly, an annual event on her birthday in April.

All the money raised goes to the Victim Support counselling service, which has named a counselling room the Carly Fairhurst Suite, in honour of Carly and her family's work.

"When we heard about the counselling room Sheila and I were reduced to tears, as we were when we heard we'd been shortlisted for this award," says Trevor. "It's nice ?to have the work we're doing recognised but we do it as it gives us pleasure. We'll be donating our £250 from Candis to the Fund so other victims of crime can receive the support they need."