TROWBRIDGE widow Sally Lane is holding a fundraising evening on March 14 in memory of her husband, who lost his life to pancreatic cancer 21 years ago this year.

Mrs Lane planned to hold an event to raise money for Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund last year to mark the 20th anniversary of her husband John’s death at the age of 42 from the disease, but illness prevented it from going ahead.

She is now organising the event at Staverton Social Club along with their daughters Aimee, Krystina and Karoline and her step-children Karen, who also ran the Bath Half Marathon in memory of her dad, and Richard.

The event will include a quiz and raffle to raise money for the charity, with prizes including a spa treatment at Bishopstrow House, a day pass to Longleat and tickets to the Theatre Royal Bath.

Mrs Lane, 54, said: “I wanted to do something as a 20 year tribute, but I had a period of illness and it couldn’t happen. I was still determined to do something though, so decided to do it this year.

“It is one of the few diseases where the survival rate has not improved since John passed away. In the last 40 years the three per cent survival rate has not increased.

“That is why we are raising money for the Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund, as there is still so much that needs to be done. We will have a quiz and a raffle with lots of great prizes.

“I’m hoping for as much support as possible and at the end of the evening we are going to have lots of balloons and everyone can pay £1 for a balloon which they can let off in memory of someone they have lost.”

Mrs Lane said she is hoping for a good turnout at the event, which will include a buffet, as her husband was well known as a milkman. He was especially well known in Bratton, where his main round was.

She added: “It’s hard to believe it has been 21 years. The time just flies past and I spent a lot of it with the children after John died, but we hope this will be a fitting tribute to him.”

The event will start at 7pm on Saturday March 14 and is expected to finish around 11.30pm. Tickets will be available on the door.