WHEN Rachel Illsley’s mum died of pancreatic cancer in 2009, she set herself the challenge of raising £10,000 for charity.

The 53-year-old, who was adopted by Joan and Benny Bolton when she was eight, has raised £7,000 so far.

And now Rachel, of Coleview, is hoping everyone will help her smash her target by attending a wedding fair she has organised on April 22 in aid of Cancer Research UK.

“Mum’s passing had a profound effect on me and being the strong lady that she was would not have wanted me to continue grieving,” she said.

“It was this thought that gave me the idea that I would raise funds for charities that have a special meaning to me and I gave myself a target of £10,000.

“This was a positive healing process for me and to date, following fundraising from a country rock and rock ‘n’ roll event in September 2010, party of the noughties event in September 2011 and further fund matching from employers, I have managed to raise £7,000 so far.”

Rachel, whose father died of a heart attack in 1986, has donated the money so far to Have a Heart charity for disadvantaged children, Swindon & District Autistic Society, Altzheimer’s Society, Crohns and Colitis, Swindon Radio 105.5 and Cancer Research UK.

“I have another £3,000 to reach my goal. I have already collected £1,600 from exhibitors’ fees for the wedding fair in April, and hopefully my target will be smashed,” she said.

The wedding fair will take place at Marsh Farm Hotel in Royal Wootton Bassett from 11am until 3pm and she has been given the venue for free.

“I wanted the wedding fair to have a wow factor and to stand out from others and so I have put together both a wedding fair exhibition and entertainment shows – a full day out for all,” she said.

There are 28 wedding dresses, sizes from eight to 26, all new and donated from local shops that will be sold on the day for £100. There is also a selection of adult and child bridesmaid dresses, mother of the bride and groom outfits.

There will also be party/wedding items for sale which have been donated by Partybox.

Two fashion shows will take place at noon and 2pm and the models include both Miss Swindon, Hannah Golding, and Miss Wiltshire, Jo Logan, and the girls from Locomotion band, compered by Swindon 105.5 presenter Shirley Ludford.

Thirty exhibitors will be there and there will be entertainment.

Rachel will be at Wharf Green on April 7 to hand out flyers.