The family of cancer patient Lizzy Strong, who inspired LOROS Hospice’s ‘Laughing With LOROS’ say she would be the first person to be taking part in the campaign if she were still alive.
Vicky Francis said that Laughing With LOROS is the perfect tribute to her sister Lizzy, who raised money by doing ‘random acts of silliness’, while battling terminal cancer.
Mother-of-one Lizzy, who died last year at LOROS after being diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer in 2013 at the age of 34, raised more than £13,000 for the Hospice by doing silly things.
“This campaign is perfect,” said 30-year-old Vicky, of Littlethorpe.
“Before Lizzy died she said to me, she wanted to leave a legacy and for me, it’s as if she is living on, through campaigns like this.
“I know she would love Laughing With LOROS. She would love any way of raising money for LOROS but especially this because it is encouraging people to have a laugh.”
Laughing With LOROS, which is new to 2016 and runs alongside Dave’s Leicester Comedy Festival, encourages people to raise money for the Hospice by doing something funny.
“Lizzy could make people laugh, that was just her. When she was diagnosed, I remember her saying she wanted people to see that although cancer was happening to her, she was still was Lizzy and she wanted people to laugh with her,” said Vicky.
“Lizzy’s funny side, her sense of humour shining through is what gave her friends and family the strength to face her ordeal, by following her lead and laughing as much as possible.
“I completely believe that the reason Lizzy lived on longer than doctors thought was because of her mentality and mind-set. Lizzy is proof that laughter really is the best medicine.”
As part of the campaign, LOROS will also be hosting their very own comedy gig, called Laughter At LOROS.
Hosted by former Comedian of the Year, Jack Campbell, the event will be taking place on Friday 19th February at LOROS Hospice and is part of this year’s Leicester Comedy Festival programme.
Performing on the night will be Lloyd Griffith, who has not only appeared on BBC3’s ‘Sweat the Small Stuff’, and BBC Radio 1’s Live Lounge Comedy Club but also supported up-and-coming comedian Rob Beckett on his 2013-2014 sold-out tour.
Aiming to dispel some of the myths surrounding Hospices, that they are scary, dark and gloomy places, the gig is set to get people through the LOROS door, allowing them to see that it is in fact bright and relaxing.
“LOROS is completely different to anything I have ever imagined,” said Vicky.
“We came to think of it as our second home, I was very pleasantly surprised.
“I feel like Lizzy was trying to dispel the myths surrounding cancer, just like LOROS is trying to dispel the myths surrounding Hospices.
“She was never laughing at cancer, she just wanted people to know that they can still laugh, even if they are ill. And I know Lizzy would be in the front row of that gig, if she was still here.”
Tickets for the comedy gig, which starts at 8pm are £9.
For information on the campaign, or to buy tickets for the event visit loros.co.uk/laughing
