THE family and friends of a young Darwen music lover have raised more than £3,000 for the hospital which cared for her in her final days.

Dawn Quirk, 24, had planned to hold a charity music event after she recovered from her nine-month battle with a rare form of cancer.

But chemotherapy sessions were unsuccessful and she died seven months ago before realising her dream.

Her family and friends organised a huge music extravaganza featuring 10 local bands, including Gone Beggin' and Cherrybomb, and a raffle with prizes donated by members of the community.

The event, held at Marigolds in Darwen, in August, was so successful, people queued outside and many couldn't get in.

Dawn's boyfriend, Warren Chadwick, friend Sam Smethurst and brother Craig Quirk took to the stage and sang a selection of her favourite songs including Dido's White Flag in a touching tribute.

And the family of a man she had cared for at Birch Hall Nursing Home in Darwen donated £100.

The proceeds will go to the Young Oncology unit at the Christie Hospital, Manchester. Dawn's mum, Doreen, 58, of Ellison Fold Terrace, said: "It was a very emotional day. It was like a dream, I felt numb for the whole time. Dawn would have thought it was absolutely fantastic."

The family has set up a Dawn Quirk Memorial Fund and are planning more charitable events to raise money for the hospital.

Doreen has already raised £900 by running the Race For Life in July with her daughter Tracy and workmates. Brother Craig, 30, is planning to scale the UK's three highest mountains to raise even more money for the fund.

Dawn was diagnosed as having cancer in June 2003 after discovering a lump in her leg and she underwent surgery at Manchester Royal Infirmary in November.

After Christmas she suffered a second blood clot and a scan revealed the cancer had spread through her body.

She died in her father's arms at the Christie Hospital.

Dawn's sister, Tracy Banks, said: "There are lots of people who helped make this a very special day which Dawn's family will never forget: Ben Robinson, who organised the do, Liz, Bob and family from Marigolds, all the bands that played on the day and Kathy and Skip from Cue Music who supplied the PA system.

"Dawn would have been so proud. She will be in our hearts forever."

Anyone who wishes to donate to the Dawn Quirk Memorial Fund can do so by calling 01254 772712.