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Prom dress donations in memory of nursery worker

Jodie HalfordEssex
Boutique wedding films and photography A woman in a black and green striped dress smiles while looking into the distance. She is wearing glasses.Boutique wedding films and photography
Jodie Malin, who died in February aged 30, loved seeing people "getting all dressed up, feeling their best and going out"

A nursery worker "would have absolutely loved" a campaign organised in her memory to collect prom dresses for those who might struggle to afford them.

Jodie Malin, 30, from Felsted, Essex, died in February, a few months after being told she had cancer, which spread through her body.

One of her closest friends, Alexandria Andrews, asked for dress donations for girls attending prom events in Chelmsford and Braintree, Essex, this summer.

Andrews said: "It feels like these girls, who are going to be wearing these dresses, are going to represent Jodie that day. One of the things she absolutely loved was either herself or seeing other people getting all dressed up, feeling their best and going out."

She added: "Jodie would have just loved knowing these girls felt special because she made it possible."

Supplied A woman holds a coffee cup and looks at the camera. She is wearing a black strappy top and has a grey blanket on her lap. She is sitting in a hospital chair.Supplied
Jodie's friend praised the treatment and care she received from a team at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge

Jodie had been told she had about 12 months to live in early November 2025 after doctors found cancer throughout her body, Andrews said.

She was treated at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridgeshire and died on 2 January.

Andrews said she had collected about 40 dresses so far, and was going to approach senior schools around the area, "who can maybe reach out to families that they know are suffering financially".

"I wanted to try and help as many young girls as possible feel their best on that day that may not be in the best financial position with their family right now," Andrews added.

Supplied A woman with tortoiseshell glasses and auburn hair smiles at the camera. She is wearing a black top and is holding a large glass in front of her.Supplied
Jodie's friends and family are fundraising in her memory as well as collecting prom dresses

Andrews said money was also being raised for Addenbrooke's cancer ward because of the exceptional care Jodie received there, and the support given to her family and friends.

They are in the process of organising a charity ball to take place in September, aiming to raise £15,000 to donate to Addenbrooke's cancer care, she said.

"She was just the most amazing person," Andrews said. "She would just do anything for anyone; she'd give you the coat off her back.

"I don't think there will ever be anyone come close to who she was."

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