Musical tribute to Hassocks school teacher

A fundraising concert at The Eight Bells, Bolney, in memory of a popular local teacher has raised in excess of £2,500 for St Catherine's Hospice.
A fundraising concert held by Paul and Louise Rigglesford in memory of wife and mum Loraine Rigglesford  raised in excess of £2,500 for St Catherines Hospice - picture submitted KNla6YbWseStXgnWdpmUA fundraising concert held by Paul and Louise Rigglesford in memory of wife and mum Loraine Rigglesford  raised in excess of £2,500 for St Catherines Hospice - picture submitted KNla6YbWseStXgnWdpmU
A fundraising concert held by Paul and Louise Rigglesford in memory of wife and mum Loraine Rigglesford raised in excess of £2,500 for St Catherines Hospice - picture submitted KNla6YbWseStXgnWdpmU

Loraine Rigglesford who died of metastatic breast cancer last November aged just 59 years old, taught most recently at Farney Close School in Bolney, but also worked previously at Downlands School in Hassocks.

The concert, held in early May, was organised by Loraine’s husband Paul and their daughter Louise.

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It featured local band ‘No Mustang’ who include guitarist Chris Bruton, a former pupil of Loraine’s at Downlands in the 1980s.

A fundraising concert held by Paul and Louise Rigglesford in memory of wife and mum Loraine Rigglesford  raised in excess of £2,500 for St Catherines Hospice - picture submittedA fundraising concert held by Paul and Louise Rigglesford in memory of wife and mum Loraine Rigglesford  raised in excess of £2,500 for St Catherines Hospice - picture submitted
A fundraising concert held by Paul and Louise Rigglesford in memory of wife and mum Loraine Rigglesford raised in excess of £2,500 for St Catherines Hospice - picture submitted

As well as selling tickets for the event, Paul and Louise started up an online donation page with an initial target of £300.

They said that if this target was achieved they would perform a song with the band. In fact, the fund has so far contributed more than £1,300 to the total.

As a result, Louise and Paul joined the band to perform Queen and David Bowie’s ‘Under Pressure’ and ‘Hotel California’ by The Eagles to an audience in excess of 150 people.

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Louise also performed a solo version of Carole King’s ‘Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?’ accompanied by Paul on guitar.

A fundraising concert held by Paul and Louise Rigglesford in memory of wife and mum Loraine Rigglesford  raised in excess of £2,500 for St Catherines Hospice - picture submittedA fundraising concert held by Paul and Louise Rigglesford in memory of wife and mum Loraine Rigglesford  raised in excess of £2,500 for St Catherines Hospice - picture submitted
A fundraising concert held by Paul and Louise Rigglesford in memory of wife and mum Loraine Rigglesford raised in excess of £2,500 for St Catherines Hospice - picture submitted

Paul said: ‘During the latter stages of her illness, St Catherine’s cared and supported Loraine at home, in the house we’d lived in for over 30 years.

“For us, the hospice became the hub for everything.

“Having one number I could call that would help me sort out a myriad of problems made so much difference and the wider help we received from St Catherine’s greatly simplified things.

During Loraine’s last few days, St Catherine’s arranged for her to have a hospital bed and nurses and carers came in to administer medication; they were brilliant in their support of both Loraine and me as her primary carer.

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“Even after Loraine passed, St Catherine’s staff were still there for me and Louise.

“They comforted us as best they could and continued to support us through sessions of bereavement counselling.

“We were so grateful; we felt we wanted to do something to show our appreciation.

“We are really pleased at the fantastic total that has been raised and would like to thank everyone who has supported us by attending, and by donating both cash and raffle prizes.

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Particular thanks must go to The Eight Bells pub, ‘No Mustang’ and DJ Rik Taub who also provided musical support on the night.’

If people want to support this fundraising effort further, donations can still be made online at:https://www.justgiving.com/lorainerigglesford

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