OUT OF the ashes of a family tragedy that rocked Blackbird Leys last year the community is coming together for a fundraiser to remember.

Hundreds of people are set to attend today’s event in memory of Mary McBlain, a mother-of-two and daughter of a Leys ‘original’ who died suddenly last year aged 35.

Mother Sandra McBlain, 56, of Blay Close, said: “She was a very happy-go-lucky girl, very family-oriented.

“On December 11 last year we went out and had a brilliant night. We came home and she said ‘I’m going home, I’m tired’.

“Five minutes later we got a call saying she had collapsed. She had suffered a pulmonary embolism and she died in front of me.”

The family including Mary’s five siblings and son Ryan, now 16, and Bethany, five, were left reeling from the incident.

Mrs McBlain said: “It was total devastation. It was two weeks before Christmas, and we had to face that as well.”

In subsequent weeks the family were approached by the darts committee at Florence Park Community Centre about a charity event in her name.

Within weeks a ‘Mary McBlain Memorial Cup’ had been arranged was attended by 200 people, raising £800 for various services at the John Radcliffe Hospital.

Now the family are gearing up for a second event with a target of £1,000 to be raised for ORH Charitable Funds, the charity supporting the departments and wards of Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Mrs McBlain said: “The John Radcliffe’s various departments have done so much for us over the years. We are very grateful to the JR and it’s giving something back.”

From 4pm to 11pm today the community centre in Cornwallis Road will play host to an extravaganza of party games, activities and entertainment.

Darts competitions, bowling, two ‘massive’ raffles and a teddy bear naming competition will feature as well as Zoopla, face painting and curry for hungry visitors.

Mrs McBlain said: “The charity have been absolutely superb with supporting me. We have a lot of support from local businesses that have donated for the raffle.

“While it’s very difficult for us to do this, if something positive can come out of what has happened that’s got to be a good thing.”

Joseph Baker of ORH Charitable Funds said: “It is so inspiring when people like Sandra, who are in the midst of such sad loss, decide to support the hospital charity.

“Sandra has told us a lot about Mary and we can see from the support from the local community that she was a very loved lady. We are incredibly grateful.”

All are welcome. To donate, visit tinyurl.com/zndnayf