As Claire grew up she became involved in fund raising for the local Hospital, and also in organising events to raise money for her church. She took the elderly and the sick to the hospital Chapel and became leader of her Girl Guides.

When Claire was 15 years old she was diagnosed as having cancer, and underwent very unpleasant tests and treatments. Claire always said the worst was the Chemotherapy and radiation therapy as this made her very ill. She lost her hair, became very thin and was constantly very weak, but all the way through she kept a smile on her face and tried to stay cheerful, not only for her family but also for the other teenagers on her ward.

Despite the months of treatment Claire was told it had not worked. She agreed to having a more aggressive form of therapy, and while in hospital made some very close friends.  Sadly not all of her friends survived, which added to her distress, but Claire would speak of their amazing courage - courage that makes one feel very humble. 

Claire became aware that while many of the teenage patients would love to go on holiday, the cost of insurance, special accommodation and a carer, made it impossible for most of the families to consider. It was at this time she learnt her treatment had been unsuccessful and that she was terminal, but Claire was as selfless as ever, and after receiving money raised by her school friends for her to have a short break, she asked her parents to use the money to start up a trust fund in her name, with the purpose of sending other teenage cancer patients and a carer on a holiday of their choice. Claire herself never enjoyed such a holiday - she died in July 1995 at the age of seventeen, her only wish being that the trust fund would become a Charity that would continue to achieve all she had planned for it.

Since the trust fund was set up many teenagers have had the holiday they never expected to have. This was Claires last wish.