Home   Dartford   News   Article

Tragic cancer victim Kirstie Wilson remembered with charity golf tournament organised by dad Gary

The family of a young woman who died from cervical cancer at the age of just 21 are continuing her good work.

Kirstie Wilson spent her final months raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support and Cancer Research.

She died in September 2015 and her father Gary, of Chapel Drive, Dartford, is committed to supporting the good causes.

The family of Kirstie Wilson are raising thousands in her memory. She died from cervical cancer in 2015. Pictured with dad Gary Wilson
The family of Kirstie Wilson are raising thousands in her memory. She died from cervical cancer in 2015. Pictured with dad Gary Wilson

He organised a golf tournament at Southern Valley Golf Club, Gravesend, last year.

It raised £6,500 but he is hoping to go some way better this summer.

The 2017 Kirstie Golf Trophy will see 80 golfers competing and – with the help of an auction – is aiming to raise at least £10,000.

Kirstie meets her Chelsea hero John Terry
Kirstie meets her Chelsea hero John Terry

He said: “When Kirstie was old enough to leave school she followed me into the City to the accounting world. She worked for a Japanese investment house and a big broker by the name of ICAP, who are supporting the auction.

“She came from a Chelsea family and when she was going through her fight we had big involvement with Chelsea, especially with Ashley Cole and John Terry.

“They get a lot of bad press but I can’t say enough positive things about how they helped her through her fight, and John Terry is providing signed shirts and football boots to the auction as well.”

"It’s all for her and her memory, and hopefully it’s going to raise a lot of money for cervical cancer research" Gary Wilson

Such goods should fetch some high prices, but the focus is very much on the golf, which has fuelled Mr Wilson’s fundraising efforts.

In addition to organising his own competition in honour of his daughter, he has also taken part in the Macmillan Longest Day Challenge.

This tasks golfers with playing four rounds – that’s 72 holes – in one day. Mr Wilson said: “Kirstie was actually misdiagnosed at first and so when she was diagnosed she had a two-year battle and it was tough going.

“She ran a big fundraising campaign and wanted me to continue.

“The focus has been on golf because I’m a golfer and love to play, but it’s been quite a big undertaking.

“I’m doing it all on her request, it’s all for her and her memory, and hopefully it’s going to raise a lot of money for cervical cancer research.”

Kirstie’s symptoms first emerged when she was 17 and were initially dismissed by doctors as growing pains.

But a specialist eventually carried out a smear test, not offered by the NHS until the age of 25, and detected the cancer.

Surgery appeared to have cured her, but the disease returned and spread to her liver and spleen.

In addition to fundraising, she also campaigned for women to be able to have smear tests whenever they wanted.

The 2017 Kirstie Golf Trophy will take place on Tuesday, June 27, at Reigate Hill Golf Club in Surrey.

To donate, visit justgiving.com/kirstiecharity2017.

Close This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies.Learn More