A COMMUNITY has come together to raise money for charity in memory of mother of two Sue Liggins, who passed away in January.
Sue, aged 39, of Lakeside Road, worked at Governor’s Hill Stores in Douglas for more than 14 years and has been described by her manager Ernie Russell as ‘irreplaceable’.
The staff and customers were shocked when Sue died in her sleep. In January she had an operation and after being discharged from hospital she later died at home. The operation was not connected to Sue’s death.
Miss Liggins, leaves behind her two sons Jake, 13, and Alex, 12 and her partner of 20 years Sean Cade. The couple met when they were both pupils at Ballakermeen High School in Douglas.
Her partner Sean described Sue as a very family oriented person who loved being surrounding by the children in her family. He said: ‘She was always with kids, she loved looking after her nieces and nephews. She was brilliant and she was very straight with people. We have always done some kind of fundraising, I think it is fantastic how much is raised. We are hoping we can do something every year.’
Following her death her family wanted to raise money for local charity Wish Upon a Dream that was close to Sue’s heart. The charity was chosen because it has a personal link to Sue, her disabled nephew Cole Liggins was granted two wishes by the charity.
Shocked customers came into the shop crying following the sad news of Sue’s death. A collection box in her name was put in the store that raised £700 and the owner of Governor’s Hill Stores, Ernie Russell, has since doubled that amount. The total raised in memory of the shop worker is £1,400. Money was also raised for the charity after her family requested donations in lieu of flowers at her funeral.
Sue, who would sort out everyone’s troubles, was the eldest of six children and was born on her grandparents’ farm, Ballig Farm in Onchan. She was delivered by her grandmother after being born early.
Colleague and friend Nina Corlett, said she was not surprised how much money had been raised.
‘She was just so kind, she was really lovely,’ she said. ‘Sue was marvellous with staff and the customers. It does not surprise me how much was raised because people did like her and she was popular.
‘If someone could not come into the shop, she would bring what they wanted around to them. We were the A team.’
Sue was due to take over running the shop after she had recovered from her operation. Mr Russell said: ‘She is still missed a lot by everyone.’
