A crusading mother who was inspired by the tragic death of her son to campaign for life-saving equipment to be fitted at Halton General Hospital has died.
Maureen Mainwaring, of Runcorn, passed away on July 31 and was remembered as a passionate voice whose activism led to not only a defibrillator being fitted, but a continued fundraising campaigns for the hospital.
The 77-year-old's granddaughter, Emma Kearns, told the ECHO Maureen's 18-year-old son James had died in June 1984 following a collision involving a car while riding his bicycle outside the hospital.
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The minor injuries unit at the time didn’t have a defibrillator, which might have helped to keep him alive.
After her fundraising campaign raised enough money to buy a defibrillator and have it fitted, Maureen - who was originally from Liverpool - continued to support the hospital wherever needed.
Her efforts were honoured with accolades including a medal from Pope John Paul II and a Woman of the Year award presented to her by Lord Brian Rix.
An avid Everton FC fan, her campaigning also received the support of the club's legendary manager Howard Kendall. She even had her own charity float during the Runcorn carnival.
Maureen was married to Stephen, and was also mum to daughter Karen and son Andrew.
She died from a heart attack at Broadgreen Hospital, and passed away peacefully with her family at her side.
A permanent memorial to James was unveiled in Halton General’s grounds in 1993 amid Maureen's continued support for the hospital
Emma said: “She ended up raising money to get the defibs for the hospital because it’s not classed as A&E (accident and emergency), it was minor injuries.
“She kept on fundraising for the hospital.
“If they needed stuff, they’d contact my nan.
“As I say, she used to have her own chart in the hospital with how much she’d raised.”
She added: “The hospital do little things for my uncle, they’ve planted trees and done a little bench for him at the back.”
Describing memories of her nan, Emma said: “She was a very witty woman, she was a little character.
“If she wanted something doing, she’d make sure she got it done, and she was very straight-talking - there was no messing about, if she had something to tell you, she’d tell you.”
Maureen’s funeral is at St Edward’s Church on Ivy Street, Runcorn, at 12.15pm on Tuesday, August 17.
