Two sisters from Woolpit, near Bury St Edmunds, join forces to raise money for Essex and Hertfordshire Air Ambulance and commemorate their dad

Two sisters have joined forces to clean up their village in memory of their dad who died in a tragic accident.

Lorelai and Caroline Campbell, aged 13 and 10, decided to pick litter around Woolpit, near Bury St Edmunds, to give back to the Essex and Hertfordshire Air Ambulance, which tried to save their dad last August.

The girls wanted to commemorate the memory of their dad, Nick, who died while trying to fix a car, by organising the fund-raising event in the lead up to his birthday on February 28.

Pat Cooper, Lorelai’s and Caroline’s grandma and Nick’s mum, has expressed her admiration for the two sisters, who have smashed their target goal only a couple of weeks into the fund-raiser.

She said: “It was six months ago that he passed away and the girls are absolutely devastated. They were both very close with their father.

“I’ve always been very proud of both of them, but I think it takes a massive strength of character to have gone through what they went through and come out doing well on two fronts – giving money to the air ambulance and helping clear up their local community.

“They’ve decided between themselves to raise money for the air ambulance because they had attended and tried to save their dad.

“Unfortunately, they were unable to but they did their very best and the girls appreciate what they’ve done.”

The two sisters, who have smashed their original £500 goal, have decided to continue to pick litter on the weekends beyond Nick’s birthday.

Pat said the girls hope the money can help other families who may need an air ambulance.

She added: “They were thrilled with how quickly they reached their target and are determined to keep going.”

When asked how her granddaughters have been doing since Nick’s death, Pat said: “Everyday is different.

“It’s still very raw, but we all try to carry on day to day. It can take a word, a picture, a special day or nothing at all for the tears to flow or for us to laugh at a memory.

“They have done such a brave and wonderful thing to not only to raise money, but also to commemorate their father.”

To donate click here.