Lynne Sweeney (nee Gagliano) was a much loved mother, wife, daughter, sister, niece, aunty, cousin and friend. In June last year Lynne died suddenly from a brain aneurysm.

As a group of Lynne’s friends, we are hoping we to raise £2000 to be split between The Charing Cross Neurological Critical Care & Research Fund and a memorial bench.

Lynne’s memorial bench will be located in Richmond-upon-Thames, close to the places she loved and where she spent many happy hours with her family and friends. The bench will be inscribed with quotes from some of Lynne’s favourite novels, so that Lynne’s love of literacy will be an inspiration for others for years to come. 

To raise funds for a memorial bench for Lynne and a charitable donation we have decided to transpose the number of pages from one of Lynne’s favourite books, into miles and walk that distance around Richmond Park. Although Gone With The Wind was a clear favourite, we decided that another of Lynne’s favourites , the Great Gatsby, with its 170 pages, was a more realistic challenge!

So on Friday 6th October 2017, we will be walking 170 miles around Richmond Park (approximately 23 laps) in memory of our lovely friend Lynne.

Please support us and donate whatever you can, whether it’s £5, £10 or higher - all donations will be gratefully received.

Lynne’s was a beautiful story. A story that was too short for all those that loved her, a journey we didn’t want to leave, pages we longed to continue to turn, and devastation when the story came to its abrupt and premature end…but like all great classics, the words are imprinted on our hearts, finishing the pages merely closed the book, but Lynne’s story will stay with us for always.

With love and thanks

Abigail Huntington, Sara John, Chrissie Medley, Sarah Rossigneux, Anna Skinner