A BEREAVED Kendal mum has set up a fundraiser to support a vital charity which helped her ‘gentle and loving’ daughter who has died, aged 20.

Sharron Coates’ daughter Zaphia Peterson succumbed to a suspected severe chest infection, believed to be pneumonia, just weeks before she was due to turn 21 at her home in Hoad View, Ulverston.

For several years she had been supported by the staff at Manna House in Kendal, where she received counselling and advice about benefits.

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Mrs Coates, of Littledale, said while her daughter’s death had come as a huge shock, she wanted to do whatever she could to carry on supporting her.

The homeless charity provides a range of services for those who are vulnerably housed, lonely or needing help. Its services include housing, benefits and debt advice, an advocacy service, a drop-in support centre and a ‘skills cafe’ offering many different courses.

“There’s not a lot I can do for her now but one thing I can do is try to raise some money for her favourite charity,” she said. “It’s so important for other young people who need help and it would be so important to Zaphia.

“When she was alive Manna House gave her a lot of help with counselling and benefits and things and they’re really great with supporting people. It’s a very valuable service.”

Zaphia was born in Lancaster but had lived in Kendal all her life until moving to her boyfriend’s home in Ulverston a year ago.

She attended St Mark’s School, Natland, Kirkbie Kendal School, and completed a catering course at Kendal College. She went on to work at the Station Inn, Oxenholme, and was employed as a chef at Heron Hill Care Home.

Mrs Coates paid tribute to her daughter and thanked people for their generous support so far.

“She was very gentle, very intelligent and loving,” she said. “She loved animals. Birds used to be her favourite. We used to go bird watching when she was little. She used to like going walking with the dogs, and liked taking photographs while she was out.

“People have been amazing; it’s been such a great response. Everyone has been so supportive.

“It’s obviously caused a lot of sadness but people have been so kind. There’s already been £700 donated.”

Andrea Aldridge, chief officer at Manna House, admitted she had been saddened by Zaphia’s death and thanked Mrs Coates for setting up the fundraiser.

“She was absolutely adorable and it’s very upsetting that she’s died,” she said. “She was a very gentle person, very artistic, and loved to get herself involved in the workshops we do.

“It’s an incredibly generous gesture from Sharron and we’re really grateful. It shows that when tragedies like this happen the Manna House community comes closer together and we appreciate how much we need each other.

“It’s very poignant for us to receive a donation like this and as a charity it helps us to keep going, though obviously we regret that it’s come from such a tragedy.”

To further help boost the fundraiser for Manna House, a charity bike ride is being set up in memory of Zaphia. It will take place on Sunday, August 6, two days before what would have been her 21st birthday.

Zaphia’s former tutor at Kendal College, Paul Waring, said: “Zaphia was very quiet but always very friendly.

“She studied hospitality at Kendal College for two years and was a popular and able student achieving both Level 1 and 2 qualifications in Professional Cookery.

“All her tutors are shocked and saddened to hear the very sad news of her death at such a young age.”

A number of Facebook users also paid tribute to Zaphia. Ellie McKee described her as ‘a beautiful and intelligent young lady’, John Axten added she was a ‘great girl’ and Sophie Bella remembered her as ‘a lovely person’.

A former teacher of Zaphia’s at St Mark’s School, Margaret Bell, also said: “I remember her well. Such a sweet, sensible girl. No mother should have to go through this.”

Zaphia’s funeral took place on Friday, June 7, at Beetham Crematorium.

To support the Manna House fundraiser in memory of Zaphia, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/zaphia