The Amy Purvis Fund for Performing Arts

Hi my name is Cloedie,

In December last year, we tragically lost a very close and special friend, Amy Purvis, in a fatal accident because of an unlicensed and

drunk driver.

Amy was a dedicated Mum to two beautiful daughters and left her girls, partner Steve, her wonderful family, friends and a community absolutely devastated.

Before Amy died, she and I were planning on walking the Cumbria Way. When we lost Amy, I knew I wanted to continue with our plan and do the walk in memory of her.

There’s a team of ten of us, made up of Amy’s close friends and family, including Amy’s partner Steve, who will attempt to complete the 73 mile walk over 5 days. Other family and friends will join us along the way, with a crowd of us on the fifth and final day. Amy’s family, including her girls, are hoping to come along for the last stretch.

Apart from one of the gang, who is qualified to lead the walk, none of us is used to long-distance walking, and we have to train to manage roughly 15 miles a day through mountain terrain.

Amy was a huge figure in our local community who set up and ran the very popular Euphoria choir and youth choir. Her dedication to the choir and personal touch with all members of the groups made a huge impact on many lives.

We are extremely appreciative to Beth, Amy’s sister, who has stepped in and now leads Euphoria choir. Amy’s legacy is strong, and the choir is singing again because of Beth.

As well as this, Amy taught singing and performing arts lessons, and it was clear that

she was very passionate about all children being given opportunities and being able to access the arts. She offered funded places for those children who financially would not have been able to attend sessions.

We decided we would like to use this walk as an opportunity to raise some money to support young people in South West Durham with access to tuition and equipment for music, singing and performing arts lessons who usually wouldn’t be able to afford it. This is something we know was very close to Amy’s heart. Your donation will contribute to providing grants for children and their families to pay for lessons, groups and equipment.

Amy was packed full of empathy and kindness. She organised various charitable events and was always willing to support others in their quests to raise funds for worthy causes.

Helping children follow their dreams, play music, sing and dance when they might not get that opportunity is very special indeed, just like Amy was, and she would be as proud as punch to enable this to happen in her name.

If you’ve read to the end of our story, thank you. I hope you can support us.

I want to say a huge great big thank you from myself and the rest of the walking group, Steve, Esther, Rachel T, Lyndsey, Owen, Emma, Val, Bunny, Rachel A and everyone else who will be joining us along the way.

PS. Teesdale Community Resources have kindly offered to act as our funding hosts for this campaign. We hope that in time we will set up a charitable trust in Amy's name. Any funds raised will be shared fairly across the South West Durham area by our fundraising committee and administered by the team at Teesdale Community Resources.