Fran’s painting brings a moving tribute to Blackburn

UK News Desk 2026-10-09 15:06 3 min read

An artistic painting of a floral figure on display at an event.

Francesca McCaigue’s unfinished painting raised £2,000 for Derian House Children’s Hospice at its annual ball, then returned to the family who helped bring it to completion. The Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen, Councillor Mahfooz Hussain, bought the work at auction and gave it to Fran’s mother, Nicola, and sister, Chlöe.

The moment came at the charity’s sold-out ball at the Mercure Blackburn Dunkenhalgh Hotel. Fran, who was known as Fran, had hoped to see her painting displayed there, but died aged 22 in July before she could finish it. Chlöe completed the piece in her memory, so the work could still be shown at the event Fran had anticipated.

Fran’s sister finished the painting for the ball

Fran began creating the artwork earlier this year, knowing it would be showcased at the ball. Her mother said Fran had chosen a beautiful dress and had been looking forward to attending. After guests heard Fran’s story, Hussain bid £2,000 for the painting. He later told the family that he had intended to return it to them.

Nicola said she and Chlöe both cried when Hussain handed the artwork back, describing the gesture as “a beautiful moment”. Hussain said Fran’s story had moved him and that he bid to support the hospice while intending all along to give the painting to her family. “It was just the right thing to do,” he said.

Fran’s painting brings a moving tribute to Blackburn

The auction therefore brought together two outcomes: the painting raised money for Derian House, and Fran’s family was able to keep the completed work. The source report does not say whether the painting will be displayed elsewhere or how the £2,000 will be used within the hospice’s work.

Derian House had been part of Fran’s life since childhood

Fran had been supported by Derian House since she was eight. Nicola said staff had known her for years and that the hospice was a place where Fran made lifelong friends and had experiences she might otherwise have missed. She spent her 22nd birthday, her final birthday, at the hospice.

That history gives the auction its personal significance: Fran’s planned contribution to the ball was completed by her sister, while the event raised funds for the hospice that had supported her through much of her life. Derian House provides care and support for children and young people with life-limiting conditions and their families across the North West, according to the source report.

The ball raised more than £43,000 for Derian House

The event raised £43,226 for the hospice and generated more than £6,000 for its Derian Wishes programme. Those totals place the painting’s £2,000 bid within a wider fundraising evening, while the return of the artwork meant the family did not lose the piece to its buyer.

The source report, published by Blackburn with Darwen Council News on Friday 9 October 2026, did not provide further details on how the Derian Wishes funds will be allocated. It also does not give a breakdown of how the ball’s total was raised.

Source: Blackburn with Darwen Council News

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