District nurse Lisa Skidmore was just 37 when she was raped and murdered by a stranger in her home in Woverhampton.

Her attacker then attempted to murder her elderly mother and set fire to the property. 

Lisa’s life was brutally cut short in 2016 but her family were determined to honour her memory by combining three things Lisa loved most – children, making people happy and anything Disney. 

Later this year, thanks to their fund-raising efforts, young victims of serious crime from the Midlands area, and their families, will enjoy the holiday of a life-time to Disneyland Paris.

The therapeutic support trip, run by national children’s charity Embrace Child Victims of Crime (Embrace), helps children and families cope, share experiences and build happy memories to aid their recovery.

Lisa’s sister, Alison Parker, has been awarded fund-raiser of the year by the charity in recognition of their contribution.

“It would make Lisa really happy to know that we have been able to give these children such happy and magical memories in her name,” she said.

“It’s been fantastic working with Embrace and knowing that we can share Lisa’s love for Disney with other families who have also suffered the impact of crime.”

Embrace is the only national charity which is solely focused on helping children and young people recover from serious crime. It operates in all part of the UK, the Channel Islands and Isle of Man.

Following referrals from frontline professionals, the charity can put a range of help in place from counselling to practical support and uplifting gifts and experiences. The children it helps have been impacted by crimes including sexual abuse, domestic violence and homicide.

The twice-annual Disneyland Paris trip helps build confidence, positive shared experiences and can be a pivotal point in the child and families’ recovery.

To date, Lisa’s family has raised £5,500 to fund places on the trip with an ambition to reach £10,000.

The Alf Hitchcock Fund-Raiser Award of the Year, named after the charity’s former Chair of Trustees who sadly died in 2017, was handed to Alison and Lisa’s 81-year-old mother, Margaret Skidmore, by Operations Manager Jenny Raine.

“Thanks to the support of Lisa’s family, many other families affected by crime will have cherished memories of their time at Disneyland Paris – a chance to enjoy time away from stress and to make happy memories. We’re truly grateful for all of their efforts.”

Lisa was killed in November 2016 by convicted sex offender Leroy Campbell. They await an inquest into her death.

To find out more about Embrace or to make a donation visit www.embracecvoc.org.uk