Amanda’s legacy lives on through fundraising for Southend Hospital

Mid and South Essex Hospitals Charity is proud to recognise the incredibly generous legacy of Amanda Smith, a devoted mum of two from Canvey, whose family and friends continue to raise funds in her memory to support those affected by bowel cancer.

Amanda was diagnosed with terminal bowel cancer in 2018, at just 32 years of age. During her treatment at Southend Hospital, Amanda was determined that she would not simply be remembered for having cancer. Instead, she chose to fill her life with purpose – creating memories with her friends and family and giving back wherever she could.

Inspired by the support she received from Southend Hospital’s Macmillan support hub and the clinical team on the Elizabeth Loury Ward, Amanda decided she wanted to help future patients and support the staff caring for her. With the help of her family and friends, and alongside her husband, Mobolagi, Amanda’s vision began to take shape through a series of fundraising efforts close to her heart.

Amanda sadly died in October 2020, aged just 34, leaving behind her husband and their two children, Amira, now 15, and Khalid, now 11. Since her passing, Amanda’s commitment to kindness and generosity has been proudly carried forward by her husband, her children, her parents, Kevin and Rita Morris and the wider network of family and friends whose lives she touched.

The family’s most recent fundraising event, Amanda’s Ball, was held in celebration of what would have been Amanda’s 40th birthday. Friends and family gathered for a glamorous Great Gatsby–themed evening, celebrating Amanda’s incredible life while raising vital funds for the Southend Hospital services that meant so much to her.

The event raised £450 for the Macmillan support hub and £450 for the Elizabeth Loury Ward at Southend Hospital. An additional donation was also made by The Harvest Moon Jazz Trio, who performed and generously donated on the night.

Speaking at Amanda’s memorial birthday ball, her husband, Mobolagi, said:

“Amanda was the inspiration for the entire evening, and she would have been truly humbled and so proud of everything that was achieved on the night. As a family, helping others in Amanda’s name is something we want to continue to do in her legacy.”

Mid and South Essex Hospitals Charity is sincerely grateful to Amanda’s family, friends, and supporters for ensuring her legacy continues to make a meaningful difference for patients and staff at Southend Hospital.