A John of Gaunt pupil is encouraging businesses to donate prizes for a quiz night she set up in memory of her grandmother, who died last year.

Twelve-year-old Emily James was devastated when her grandmother, Sue James, died from a stage four brain tumour in December, just two months after she was diagnosed.

Along with her aunt, Rebecca Rendell, she decided to set up a quiz night and raffle on April 19 in Trowbridge to raise funds for Cancer Research UK.

She has written letters to Longleat, Morrisons, KFC and Thorntons to name a few, to ask for raffle donations.

Emily, of Crawley Crescent in Trowbridge, said: “I was missing my nan a lot and we thought if we did this fundraiser she would be proud of me.

“This is the first event I have organised. I have found it a bit of a challenge but I don’t mind a challenge.

“I wrote a letter to shops explaining why I am doing this and asked for their help to donate a small thing, like a gift card, for the raffle.”

On the night she will be joined by her mum and dad, Lucy and Ben, and four-year-old-sister Jessica. She said she hoped that people would think it was a fun event that they could bring their friends along to.

Mr and Mrs James have received donations from their workplace at Heaven Scent Incense in Bradford on Avon, as has Mrs Rendell, who works at Tesco Express on Frome Road.

Mrs James, 58, lived and worked in Bradford on Avon for over 30 years, working at the hospital until it closed and then at Abbeyfield House, sheltered housing for the elderly.

Mrs Rendell, 36, of Dursely Road: said: “Mum was a great person, always putting others first. She was a great agony aunt and always made time to talk to people, even people she didn’t know well.

“Her and Emily were very close and would often go shopping together. Losing her has left a huge hole, especially for Emily. She would be really proud of what Emily is doing.”

The fundraiser will be at the Bustard Club, in Trowbridge, on April 19.

To donate prizes, contact Mrs Rendell at rcrendell@sky.com