To celebrate the year inspirational fundraiser, Lucia Robinson, would have turned eighteen, close friend and fellow Writhlington student, Courtney Cullen, and her family are teaming up again to bring the area the third ‘Railway Rocks’ event on Bank Holiday Sunday, 28th May.

With the help of local and well known bands, ‘Escapades’, ‘Up Your Brass’, ‘The Venezuelan Pig Rustlers’ and ‘Parfanon’, who are all giving up their time for free, with companies in the area who have donated a huge range of raffle prizes, organisers are all set to try and raise at least £1,000 for the ‘Go Blue for Lucia’ cause, which was set up by the Hemington teen and her family to help other children and their families facing similar situations.

Starting from 2 p.m. at the Railway, Radstock, the event will have fun for all the family, including the chance to win a ‘Build a Bear’ football bear, which event-goers will be asked to guess the name of. Courtney, who met Lucia at school when they shared a computer in a technology class, feels passionately about the event, which they have been planning since Christmas, to honour the memory of her dear friend, despite the fact she, herself, is about to sit her final exams.

As well as fun and games, two regulars at the pub have been talked into a sponsored chest wax – having unwittingly signed up to begin with. Friends, Mark Loveitt, from Stratton-on-the-Fosse and Dave Blow, from Westfield, will bravely face a therapist from the Midsomer Norton Chiropody and Wellbeing Treatment Centre, Feet1st4u, to help raise further funds.

Generous prizes for the raffle include a donation from Writhlington Sports Centre, Shapla, the Riverbank Café, Barrett and Co Photography and A. David, who have donated a fruit basket and tea for two prize at Woodford Lodge. Downside School, who have been great supporters of the Railway Rocks events, have donated a £50 Argos voucher and The Best Western Centurion Hotel have also given a spa day for two. Any businesses or readers who can spare a raffle prize can call into the Railway to donate – but most of all, organisers would like to see people come along to the event.

Angie Hurle, from the Railway, said that the fundraiser has grown year on year, and that the family would like to continue it if possible. She said: “What Lucia and her family were faced with could have happened to any one of us, and if it did, I would like to think that people would help us, too. We have been amazed by the generosity of local people and we have raised around £3,000 for the cause since our first Railway Rocks.”

Lucia’s friend, Courtney, said that the teen would have been celebrating her 18th birthday with a Star Wars-themed party. “Something Star Wars related, anyway,” she says. “Or Marvel – she loved comics and superheroes.

“Although Lucia was too unwell to attend the first Railway Rocks event, passing away only days later, she knew that we were organising it. I’d like to think she would be pleased to know that we are continuing to raise funds for the causes she was passionate about.”

Go Blue for Lucia encouraged others to wear blue (Lucia’s favourite colour) and take part in fundraising activities across the area. The money raised has gone to Bristol Children’s Hospital, providing fans, equipment and furniture for families and to ensure that other children will continue to receive high levels of care. Go Blue also donates money to the Teenage Cancer Trust, CLIC Sargent, The Rainbow Trust and Children’s Hospice South West.

Lucia was diagnosed with Astrocytoma, a type of cancer which had grown within her spine. She completed a course of chemotherapy and radiotherapy in the summer of 2014, but by April 2015, after additional surgery, doctors discovered that the cancer had spread throughout her brain. She passed away at Charlton Farm Hospice on 3rd June 2015, surrounded by her family, having carried out so much good work before her passing and leaving behind a legacy that she could be very proud of. To mark her seventeenth birthday last year, organisers held a ‘Pyjama-a-thon’, to help make patterned pyjamas for children in hospital.

This year’s event will be a fitting tribute to the much-loved teen, with music until 7.45 p.m. in the evening.

Everyone is welcome to join in.