Hopes for sunshine for event in tribute of Leamington teenager

The late Amy Holdright who died at the age of 19 of cystic fibrosis.

Amelia Fletcher is taking over part of Warwick Racecourse for a day to raise money for her fun-loving friend Amy Holdright, who never let her lifelong battle with cystic fibrosis stop her making the most of the 19 years she lived before peacefully passing away in January, 2010.

Amelia, aged 22, said: “I’m determined to raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust in the hope of finding a cure for this disease as well as giving everyone a great family day out on August 17. I’ve already booked bands, ordered lots of delicious food and a bouncy castle for the event.

“All I need to do now is keep my fingers crossed for fine weather and hope all those who knew Amy - as well as hundreds of people who didn’t - will come along and have a good time, because that’s what she would have wanted.”

Tickets for the fundraiser, which starts at 3pm and will run late into the evening, are not cheap.

They will cost £20 for an adult or £70 for a block of four - and £15 for those under the age of 15. But each one sold is entered into a prize draw with the chance to win a full day of hospitality and a helicopter tour around the British Touring Car Championship at Silverstone.

Amelia, who attended Myton School but took a law A-level at Campion School with Amy, who lived in Leamington, said: “She was such a lovely and caring girl and so we hope she will make the sun shine for us on the day.”

The full line-up of musicians is still to be announced but a Facebook page called Amy’s Day has been set up. The site is still being worked on but to access the page visit fletcherheating.co.uk/amysday