A LOVING mother whose son died a year ago of liver disease is holding a charity fundraiser in his memory.

Mary, McKenna, 78, of The Vineway, Harwich, lost her son Stephen last year on April 26 when he was 51.

Stephen suffered with alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver which he died of while being cared for by St Helena Hospice.

Mary said: “I nursed him at home for about six weeks when he was really ill but he was deteriorating so badly that we decided to take him to St Helena Hospice.

“We were lucky to get him into the hospice as there are only 15 bed spaces and he was cared for by the staff for four days before he died.

“It was a difficult illness to accept for all of us and it took a long time for Stephen to accept it himself, but we knew that we needed to come to terms with it.”

Mary said her son was in denial about his alcohol addiction for many years and he kept it quiet to avoid worrying his family.

She said:“We all miss him and think about him all the time and can’t thank the hospice enough for their hard work while he was at his worst.”

After coping with the loss of Stephen, Mary with the help of her husband James, 82, is holding a coffee and cake morning for the community to raise money for the hospice.

Also helping Mary at the event will be her friends and family who will be baking homemade cakes and treats.

Mary said: “I hope we can raise lots of money for the hospice whether people donate pennies or pounds.”

Mary’s granddaughter, Kerry Bellingham, said: “It’s not been easy since losing Steve, however we have become closer and stronger.”

“Nanna has been raising money for St Helena hospice ever since we lost him and this event is a way she can thank those who helped Steve.”

The event is taking place at the Luney Club in Harwich between 10am and 4pm tomorrow.