The Clitheroe


Thursday, September 7th, 2006 No. 6,267 news and views from the Centre of the Kingdom www.clitheroetoday.co:uk Price 60p vertiser andTimes .... -,vi____


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A family’s tribute to their ray of sunshine


by Faiza Afzaal________


THE family of a 23-year-old Waddington student, who collapsed and died last week, has paid tribute to their “beautiful” daughter who lit up the lives of all who met her. Former Clitheroe Royal Grammar


School pupil Vicky Stockton, pictured, who had been studying for a Masters degree in sociology at Lancaster Universi­ ty, collapsed at her home in Beechthorpe Avenue last Wednesday - just 10 minutes after e-mailing her final dissertation to her course tutor. Emergency services were called, includ­


ing a First Responder from West Brad­ ford, who battled in vain to resuscitate her, but Vicky died two hours later at Burnley General Hospital with her family and boyfriend, Jeremy, beside her. A post-mortem examination was carried


out the next day, which revealed no appar­ ent cause of death. An inquest was opened and adjourned at Burnley Coroner’s Office on Friday. Vicky, who is also an ex-pupil of


Waddington and West Bradford Primary School, lived with her parents Chris (50) and Julie (49), and younger brothers William (22) and Edward (18)i


Her sudden death has shocked and sad­


dened hundreds of people. Poignant mes­ sages in the form of cards and flowers from well-wishers are continuing to pour into the family home. The family revealed how Vicky, an avid


Liverpool supporter, had been a fit and healthy girl until her death and had been looking forward to attending the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, Surrey, next year. In a moving tribute, her mother, Julie,


who works as a physiotherapist at Rossendale Hospital, described her as her “best friend” and said she could never have wished for a more “beautiful” and “gener­ ous” daughter. Speaking to the Clitheroe Advertiser


and Times yesterday, she said: “She was a fun-loving, hard-working and a very active girl. “She was passionate about many things,


especially football and became the sports rep. for the university’s Grizedale College. “She was extremely generous and


always championed the plight of the homeless and jobless. She would give her last penny away and one of her \vishes was to donate all her organs. She always car­ ried a donor card with her and wanted to make a difference to lives of people less for­ tunate than her.


iw ‘ M m t “She had been fine and leading a normal


life until her death. Just 10 minutes before she collapsed, she had e-mailed the com­ pleted version of her dissertation to her tutor. We just cannot understand how she died. “She loved travelling and a few hours


before she died, she was talking about cele­ brating her 24th birthday next month in Ireland. She had a huge personality and was like a ray of sunshine in the lives of many. She was my best friend and will be sorely missed by everyone.”


m Similar sentiments were shared by her


brother, William, who is also an ex-pupil of CJitheroe Royal Grammar School. Pa3ung tribute to his “much-loved” sister, he said: “She loved meeting people and was like a breath of fresh air. ’ “She was very hard-working and deter­


mined to do well in life. She was loyal to her family and friends and revelled in her own individuahty.” When not at university, Vicky enjoyed


working at the Lower Buck pub in Waddington. She had also previously worked part-time at the Moorcock Inn, Waddington and Tesco in Clitheroe. The family has thanked friends for their


unstinting support in helping the family cope with this awful time in their lives. Mrs Stockton, who is a member of the Clitheroe Ladies’ Circle, said the family had been overwhelmed with the support and affection from people around them. Mrs Stockton added that the university


has agreed to posthumously award Vicky her post-graduate‘degree. A funeral service will be held on Mon­


day at St Helen’s Church, Waddington, followed by cremation at Accrington Cre­ matorium. It will be family flowers only, but donations in memory of Vicky can be made to the North West Air Ambulance or Amnesty International, (s)


Barbaric practice slammed


POLICE and animal wel­ fare experts are urging Ribble Valley residents to be alert and help stop what has been described as a “barbaric form of blood sport”. The plea follows a


recent allegation of badg­ er baiting in the village of Read. Two men, aged 20 and 28, from Nelson were arrested on suspicion of interfering with a badger sett and have been released on bail pending further inquiries. Officers responded to a


call from a vigilant mem­ ber of the public relating to suspicious activity near the Portfield area of the village. Police and officers from the RSPCA raided land off Roman Old Road, on the outskirts of the vil­ lage approximately two weeks ago. Dogs were also seized


during the raid and taken to a vet for injuries and evidential examination. A vehicle was also confiscat­ ed, which has been taken away for forensic tests. Police revealed that the


cruel practice, known as badger-digging, involves one or more small terriers.


• continued on page 2 FAMILY NOTICES... PAGES 20,21 ■ AT YOUR SERVICE... PAGES 6,7 ■ VILLAGE NEWS... PAGES 14,15 ? \‘f r


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