TWO sisters have teamed up to raise money for a charity giving help to the hospital that treated their fatally ill brother.

Claire Vause and Elaine Lishman, daughters of former Blackburn Rovers' chairman Bill Fox , both run shops within doors of each other in East Park Road, Blackburn.

Claire, 34, runs the Real Sandwich Company at No. 71, while 44-year-old Elaine runs Flower Occasions at No. 67.

Two years ago they were devastated when their brother Michael died of a brain tumour. He was just 40 years old.

Claire said: "I set up the Real Sandwich Company with Michael seven years ago. We were 50:50 business partners.

"Michael was taken ill in January 1999, and was in hospital for two months. But it was only a week before he died that we found out it might be a brain tumour. It was a horrendous emotional rollercoaster lasting eight weeks."

The family had Michael transferred to Hope Hospital, Salford, for an operation from which he did not recover.

Claire added: "We took him to Hope Hospital for a brain biopsy. He had that on the Tuesday, and never came round. He died on the Friday.

"When Michael died there was a charity at the hospital called BASIC - the Brain And Spinal Injury Charity. We were put in touch with them after Michael died, and helped them raise enough money to buy a new TV for the hospital.

"Now Elaine and I have a collection box in both our shops to help them."

The sisters are running an open evening on Thursday to raise money for Hope Hospital.

Flower Occasions will be open from 6.30pm with displays of the products available from both the family shops and a Christmas mince pie and wine will be available.