Community raises $21,000 for breast cancer fund

The room gives Lou's husband, Craig Gallagher, a standing ovation after his speech. PHOTO: BRANDSTORIESNZ

An event held in memory of a Queenstown mother whose death from breast cancer last year inspired friends to ‘‘love harder’’ raised more than $20,000.

The fundraising evening in memory of Louise Scott-Gallagher, who died in May last year, aged 42, raised just over $21,000 for Lou’s Foundation.

The Sip & Support event, held at Highlands Motorsport Park in Cromwell on Friday night, drew 96 women and four very brave men, Mrs Scott-Gallagher’s close friend Highlands chief executive Josie Spillane said.

‘‘We spent the night with an energy of love, loss, laughter, joy and dancing ... so much dancing.’’

Mrs Spillane established Lou’s Foundation in association with Mrs Scott-Gallagher’s husband Craig Gallagher.

‘‘The evening was an outstanding success.

‘‘The generosity of the companies that donated, the people who attended, it was all a reminder of what a beautiful, supportive community we live in,’’ Mrs Spillane said.

She said Lou’s Foundation provided immediate, no-red-tape support for approved but unfunded treatments, as well as assistance for wellbeing and family needs and was open to any woman in the region who needed it.

Left to right: Craig and Louise’s Friends, Jay Buch, Alison Raye, Sarah Taylor, Josie Spillane with Lou's husband Craig Gallagher. Photo: BrandStoriesNZ

The funds raised were a testament to the hard work of Shannon O’Callaghan and Rachel Lister Chubb from Highlands and Jo Thomas from Radiance in Cromwell, Mrs Spillane said, who ‘‘truly outdid themselves for Lou’s foundation’’.

‘‘Lou’s Foundation exists to make sure no woman ever has to fight alone,’’ Mrs Spillane said.

‘‘If she’s diagnosed with breast cancer and needs approved but unfunded treatments, or extra support for her wellbeing and family, we want to be there.

‘‘Our intention is just love in action.’’

Mrs Spillane said they were ready to help any woman in the community when the need arose.

‘‘It felt like it summed up everything Lou did so beautifully — she loved fiercely, showed up for others and turned pain into purpose,’’ Mrs Spillane said.

Mrs Scott-Gallagher is survived by her husband Craig and their 2-year-old daughter Lily.

‘‘Lou’s loss changed us,’’ Mrs Spillane said.

‘‘It made us reach out more, love harder, show up faster, and stop taking a single second for granted.

‘‘It was so deeply special to deliver an evening that embodied all of that and share such a wonderful legacy for Lou.’’