STAFF at a Chard store are raising money to help combat fibrosis after their colleague died recently.

Workers at B&Q on Furnham Road, led by Claire O’Dea, are raising money for Pulmonary Fibrosis Trust after their friend Pam Buller passed away with the illness.

Mrs O’Dea, of Henderson Drive, Chard, said: “Pam, who has worked at B&Q for five years and 10 years before that at Focus DIY in Chard, passed away after a short illness. She had been suffering with fibrosis of the lung.

“She was a very popular lady and I’m raising funds for the fibrosis charity in her name by placing buckets on our tills at B&Q Chard.”

A spokesman for Chard B&Q said: “We have had a lot of donations and a lot of best wishes from people. She was really popular.

“A lot of staff and members of the public have been recognising her picture from the buckets and sending in their condolences. She is very, very missed by all.”

The Pulmonary Fibrosis Trust aims to provide personal support to people affected by pulmonary fibrosis, a debilitating and life-limiting illness.

They offer practical, emotional and financial support, and also raise awareness of the illness and in particular the challenges people face on a daily basis.

The trust provides oxygen for people away from home, stairlifts, mobility scooters, portable oxygen concentrators, travel expenses for transplant assessment and more.