South Shields family pays tribute to a '˜sponteneous' young woman who had a zest for life

Erin Farthing loved to help children and her family have launched a fundraising campaign to bring joy to ill youngsters in her memory.
Erin died after suffering heart failure on May 7.

Her death devastasted her family and friends.

Now, as they slowly try to come to terms with losing Erin - who they have described as someone who “could light up a room with her smile” - they have set up a fundraising page in her memory in aid of the Make A Wish Foundation.

The charity grants wishes to children and young people fighting life threatening conditions.

A family friend said: “Erin loved to travel and had hundreds of friends all over the world.

“She just loved life.

“She loved children and loved helping. That’s why we have chosen the Make A Wish Foundation.

“We want to help a child who needs something nice to happen in their lives. That’s what she would have wanted.”

Erin, who is from the Whitelease area of South Shields but more recently lived in Boldon, worked as a call handler for Sun Bingo.

She has been described as a young woman who was “sponteneous” and had “a fear for nothing.”

She spent a lot of her adult life travelling to different countries, including Cambodia, New Zealand, Australia, Thailand and Malaysia.

Whilst abroad she trained and worked as an English teacher in Malaysia and Cambodia after being introduced to working in schools by one of her friends.

The friend added: “Erin was very much a self-motivator and was always helpful.

“She packed so much into her short life that a lot of older people wouldn’t be able to do in a lifetime.

“As a family we have been overwhelmed from the messages of support we have received from people from all over the world.

“We had no idea how many lives she had touched.

“A memorial was even held for her in Thailand where she spent a lot of her time.

“Erin was a beautful girl who had a smile which could just light up a room.”

A funeral was held at South Shields crematorium.

Friends then continued to celebrate her life at a wake held at The Lakeside.

Anyone who would like to make a donation to the Make A Wish Foundation in memory of Erin visit www.gofundme.com/in-memory-of-erin-farthing