Pride of Britain: Woman who raised £50,000 for Luton hospice in memory of sister shortlisted

A woman who fundraised for a Luton hospice which cared for her little sister has been shortlisted for a Pride of Britain award.

Lucy Tubott’s sister Fleur died, just months before her third birthday after she was diagnosed with progeria - a rare genetic condition which causes a child to age rapidly. Fleur and her family spent time at Keech Hospice in the town after getting the diagnosis – when she was the youngest person in the world known to have the condition.

Now, 20 years on, Lucy has been recognised for her tireless charity work after raising more than £50,000 for the hospice. The 27-year-old said: “Keech Hospice Care gave my parents respite and enabled my parents to spend time with me. It was the most loving place in a weird way - it's so bright and it's so lovely and warm. All I have there are special, happy memories.”

Lucy, from Kempston, planned an event to mark what would have been Fleur’s 21st birthday last October. She said: "I wanted to celebrate what an amazing little girl she was. It was meant to be small, but that escalated into a 300-person charity ball.” After totting up the donations, Lucy had raised over £51,000 for Keech Hospice Care. She said: “It was really emotional, feeling all the love in the room. Keech did so much for my sister and my family, it was phenomenal.”

But when the chartered accountant got a text telling her she had been shortlisted, she didn’t believe the news. She said: “I thought it was a scam and I was like this can't be real. I'm shocked, even now, I’m so in shock. I'm so grateful that people are able to see my special little sister and see how great she was.”

The winners of the regional awards will be announced early next year. But for Lucy, it isn’t about taking home an award. She explained: “I have always wanted to get Keech’s name out there. The work they do is just phenomenal and the support and the love they gave me and my family is invaluable and we will forever be grateful.”