Two sisters whose late mum spent her final days at Prospect Hospice have been backed by their many friends and family to raise more than £3,000 for the charity through a pool tournament, held at the Wheatsheaf, at Faringdon Football Club.

Michaela and Kristy Rowland’s mum Rebecca, who died in 2014, was a hugely respected figure in Swindon, remembered by many for her time as chief executive of the InSwindon business improvement district (BID) organisation, aiming to improve economic growth in the town. Rebecca was a keen supporter of the local hospice, as it had cared for her own mum in her final days.

Michaela, 26, and Kristy, 25 have ensured that Rebecca’s own generous backing of the charity has carried on, and have called on Rebecca’s, and their own friends, to get behind a fundraising drive which has raised more than £16,000 to date.

“Prospect Hospice meant so much to Mum, long before they supported her own care,” said Michaela. “She and I took part in one of their first Parachute4Prospect events which was wonderful, and I am sure she would have been thrilled that we have carried on that tradition, and that so many of our friends and family have chosen to support our fundraising, as they did at the pool tournament.”

Sister Kristy added: “The hospice means so much to us, and we will both always feel that it’s a cause we want to support in whichever way we can. We’re just so pleased that so many of our friends, and Mum’s friends, feel as keen as we are to make sure people can continue to have the kind of care that Mum and Nan received at Prospect Hospice."

Mike Kennedy from the hospice’s fundraising team, added: “Michaela and Kristy are amazing supporters of Prospect Hospice and we are so appreciative of all that they do to raise funds for us. We’re grateful too that so many people raise funds with them through events like the pool tournament, and our thanks go out to them too. I am sure their mum would have been very proud of them for their amazing support for our care.”