A memorial bench for Shirley Ice Cream

Hi,

So as many of you know Shirley Richards (aka Shirley Ice Cream) passed away on Monday 20th December 2021.

Shirley has been a huge part of the community for such a long time, and has been more than just “the ice cream lady” she has been a friend to so many of us, from when we were children, to now watching us become parents ourselves.

I can’t think of her not being here, sharing our stories with her for hours while the children played in the park.

The children would say they loved the free bubble gum and she would have a line 10ft long after school, but she loved it, and loved seeing all the children grow up.

I know her children will do a fantastic job keeping her memory alive and will keep us topped up with Shirley’s whip and lemon ice, but myself and my friend Jo Powell thought let’s give something back, let’s have a place to remember her while enjoying an ice cream or just a quiet moment to rest.

I then was speaking with my friend Sam Gatsell and she was saying how she thinks maybe Keston community would like to have a place to remember her by too.

We thought about it and decided a memorial bench to sit and enjoy an ice cream would be a lovely idea. 

I have spoke to the council and it can be anywhere from £1000-£1,800 to get the bench at each location, this includes permission and get it installed so we are trying to raise the maximum of £1,800 and any extra money raised that is not needed for the benches will be donated to St Christopher’s Hospice.

Please help us to create these benches for ourselves and our children to sit and remember such a beautiful woman and a friend not just an ice cream lady.

I have asked permission from her family and they are happy for me to go ahead.

Thanks so much

xoxo