Sandra Rowe of Wallows Road passed away 2 weeks ago from cancer, an illness that has affected many of her close family and which is a cause Sandra spent much of her spare time raising funds to support.

Sandra, along with her friends and neighbours, was a familiar face on Wallows Road over the years, where she and Alan, her husband for almost 50 years, have dressed up their front garden every Halloween giving sweets to visiting families and collecting charity donations.

Last year Sandra and her neighbour raised funds for the Georgina cancer Ward at Russells Hall hospital and this year, she had collected about £250 for Birmingham Childrens Hospital. Sadly, sooon after, she fell ill and was hospitalised until she returned home in her last days to be with family.

Sandra was also a long time member of the Friends of the Fens Pool and was a regular presence early morning over the pools with Alan and their beloved dog Pip, working with the other members to report or assist any animals, such as swans, who may have been in distress. Alan said:

"Sandra was a wonderful wife, mother to our son James, aunt and grannie and it really hasn’t sunk in yet that she has gone. Sandra was a no nonsense person who said what she thought and stood up robustly for the things she believed in.

"Me, James and her family, friends and many more will miss her greatly’’. Said local ward councillor Judy Foster who has known the family since elected to represent the area in 2004 and has helped promote and support Sandra’s fundraising

“Sandra’s passing is such sad news and a terrible shock to all her knew her. Just a few weeks ago she was walking over the pools, also standing chatting with people donating to her Halloween fundraiser and also working with me, Alan and others to get the Friends of Brockmoor Park going.

“She will leave a big hole in so many of our lives, but she also has a long lasting legacy in supporting the community which me, Alan and many others will continue’’.

Local  councillor Judy Foster who has known the family since elected to represent the area in 2004 and has helped promote and support Sandra’s fundraising, added:

"Sandra’s passing is such sad news and a terrible shock to all her knew her. Just a few weeks ago she was walking over the pools, also standing chatting with people donating to her Halloween fundraiser and also working with me, Alan and others to get the Friends of Brockmoor Park going.

"She will leave a big hole in so many of our lives, but she also has a long lasting legacy in supporting the community which me, Alan and many others will continue’’.

There will be no formal funeral as typical of Sandra, she opted for a no nonsense cremation only and her ashes will be scattered at her favourite place on the Fens Pool Nature Reserve.