Fashion show in memory of Coventry cancer mum

[dutchman]

Staff will be strutting down the catwalk for a charity fashion show in memory of their colleague who died of cancer, aged 49.



Bev Cummins was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in January and lost her battle with the illness just two months later.

She had a love for fashion and would regularly organise fundraisers with her colleagues at Coventry Building Society, at Binley Business Park, in Harry Weston Road.

When she told the team about her illness they rallied together to hold a summer fashion show to raise awareness of the disease in the hope she would be alive to see it.

Family, colleagues and friends were devastated to hear of her loss but ploughed on with the show to generate funds for charities, Macmillan Cancer Support and Pancreatic Cancer UK.

Her husband Michael Cummins paid tribute to his loving wife. The 54-year-old dad, of Longford, said: “She got along with everyone and was very enthusiastic about doing things for charity. It was such a shock when she became ill because she’s always been very fit and did a lot of running. She went to the gym four times a week.

“She had a lot of pain in her back and shoulder last December. It wasn’t until she had an ultrasound when we realised it was much more serious than that. It was heartbreaking.”

Their daughter Lexy, aged 17, said: “My mum always loved getting dressed up and keeping up with the latest trends so the fashion show was quite fitting.

“It’s also important for us to raise awareness of pancreatic cancer because it’s rarely diagnosed during the early stages.

“There are no symptoms and only a three per cent survival rate.”

It became a double blow for the family when Bev’s dad John Crass died, aged 88, the day before his daughter’s funeral.

The fashion show will take place at the Ricoh Arena at 7.30pm on Friday, June 24, the day of John’s birthday.

Bev leaves behind husband Michael, daughter Lexy, mum Mary Crass, and siblings June, Mandy and John. Colleague Sasha Langford said: “She was very good at motivating people and getting everyone involved.

“We really wanted to do something positive in her name.”

Staff will be modelling outfits from New Look, Susan Grayleys Gowns, and Revolve.

The evening will also include a champagne reception, raffle and auction. Lord Mayor of Coventry Coun Keiran Mulhall will also be making an appearance.