Milford on Sea fondly remembered Louise Walsh in a full All Saints Church yesterday.
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| Picture from the A&T |
Louise tragically and unexpectedly passed away on 24th August, at the age of just 50.
Along with a thronging congregation, dressed, as requested, in colourful clothes, were 'spotty cars' which had been part of Louise's creation, the Big Learner Relay.
Louise and her family had moved to Milford on Sea in 1982, where she attended the village primary school.
After a colourful career, this much loved wife, mum, daughter, sister and friend, went on to become an amazing charity fundraiser. Her life was a testament to this kind soul known to many in the village.
Back in 2013, Louise created, and was the driving force, behind the highly-successful nationwide charity fundraiser, the Big Learner Relay.
Louise and her husband, Blaine, ran the local Love Driving School, and she came up with an idea to harness her knowledge of the driving school industry and its people. The Big Learner Relay was a concept created and implemented by Louise, where driving instructors around the UK would be sponsored to relay a top box during lessons around the country. The relay covered a combined distance of around 3,000 miles.
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| Picture from the A&T |
Not knowing if this idea would succeed, Louise's initial target was to raise £5,000. Her drive and passion however resulted in £65,000 being raised, which then led to an invitation to appear on the live broadcast of BBC Children in Need.
To date, Louise’s idea has raised over £500,000 for the BBC charity in the past decade.
In her earlier years, Louise was a qualified midwife, lifeguard and swimming instructor.
Louise achieved a post-graduate diploma in coaching, and is author & teacher of a course for trainee driving instructors. She even learnt British Sign Language enabling her to communicate with deaf & hearing impaired driving school pupils.
As well as being a super-fundraiser, she was also known by friends and family as a talented artist, enthusiastic sailor, and incredible organiser and events planner. She will be sadly missed by them all.
Her mum Sue Whitlock, and stepfather Hugh Whitlock, have sent this message to the village:
"We have been so comforted and supported by the wonderful people in this wonderful village - so many kind words, flowers, cards, emails, letters, food and love. Thank you all. You have kept our heads above water and given us strength to give thanks for our beloved daughter and helped us to see how we and Louise’s husband Blaine, her children, Ella, Finbar and Malachy, her sisters Amy and Jane, stepsister Natalie and stepbrother Simon together with her many nephews and just one niece will have the courage to smile again. Thank you from the bottom of our broken hearts". Sue and Hugh.
Blaine, Louise's husband also sent this message:
"Thank you to everyone in the village who have offered support and love. I want to make a special mention to the young people of the village who have been more than kind and respectful to me and have been brilliant supporting our 15 year old son Malachy. Their parents and the village should be very proud of our young people. It takes a village to raise a child and what a village this is". Blaine Walsh.
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Excerpts in this article are taken from a comprehensive article written by Roz Waters, which also contains lots more on Louise's life and family.
