Upper Bucklebury family passes £7k fundraising target

The family of Katherine Howard, aged 32, from Great Shefford, who died in February following a three-car crash in Priors Court Road, Chieveley, are to take part in a trek in Jordan later in the year in her memory.
Her sister, Beth Gibbons-West, aged 37, from Bucklebury, organised an acoustic music event to raise money for the Meningitis Trust, before she sets off on the trip in October with her daughter Eliza and her mother Linda Gibbons.
They will be attempting to complete the 96-mile walk from Petra to the Dead Sea.
They chose the Meningitis Trust as Mrs Howard’s best friend died of the disease 13 years ago and it was a charity to which Mrs Howard regularly donated. Mrs Gibbons-West said that they felt it was now up to Katherine’s family to continue this support.
The gig raised more than £700, meaning the family has now raised more than its target with the total standing at £7,477.
It featured musician Tom Cary – a favourite of the sisters – who gave up his time for free to play.
Mrs Gibbons-West said that although they had completed what they had initially set out to do, it would not bring back her sister.
She said that the performance was a tribute to her sister as there was lots of smiling and happiness and that’s what her sister was about.
She said: “We were absolutely delighted with the amount raised – it shows there's a lot of human kindness there.
“Katy is with us 100 per cent of the time.
“The amount we have raised is down to the generosity of others – I'm genuinely indebted to all the support we have been given; it has been amazing.
“The generosity of strangers has been amazing as well."
The trek starts on October 9 and will finish on what would have been Mrs Howard’s 33rd birthday. To sponsor the team, visit