A SERIES of fundraisers have been launched in memory of a popular Kingswinford hairdresser who died suddenly two weeks before Christmas.

Family and friends of much-loved Kerry Boucker, who had worked as a hairdresser in Kingswinford for 27 years, are raising money for the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity.

Kerry, aged 44, passed away two days after suffering a sudden cardiac arrest at her home in Wall Heath on Monday December 11.

The Midlands Air Ambulance attended but despite the best efforts of paramedics who rushed to the scene, Kerry never regained consciousness and died from pneumonia and septicaemia on December 13 at Russell's Hall Hospital, Dudley, with loved ones at her side.

Since her untimely and unexpected death, friends and family and colleagues at Blaze Hair in Bromley Lane, where Kerry had worked for 16 years, have been collecting donations for the air ambulance in her memory.

Heartbroken friend and colleague Jodie Fisher has also started an online donation page.

She said: “Kerry was loved very dearly through life as the recent days since her passing have proved with hundreds of beautiful tributes from family, friends and clients who were - as we were - heartbroken by the news, she will be greatly missed - although never forgotten.”

Brett Harris, owner of Blaze Hair salon, has arranged a fundraising event at JD Gym in Brierley Hill, with hopes of raising £5,000.

Together with his team and friends, he will be taking part in a five-hour marathon of fitness classes on Sunday February 18. Non JD gym members can also take part if they wish.

There will also be a raffle at Blaze throughout January and a tombola at the event at JD Gym.

Donations can be made in cash at Blaze Hair or via the JustGiving.com page, which has already topped £1,500 in donations.

Kerry’s funeral will take place at Gornal Crematorium on Thursday February 1 at 12.20pm.