Hundreds of dolls need a stage

Before she died in her sleep in November last year , Ellen Daly, 57, of Melton Road, amassed between 300 and 400 dolls of various shapes and sizes from all over the world.

Starting her collection when she was 15 and avidly adding to it for about 30 years, Ellen had dolls ranging from Barbies and Sindys to dolls bought back from abroad as presents from friends or made in memory of celebrities including Princess Diana.

Now, Miss Daly’s sister Berni Albrighton, of Stretton-on-Dunsmore, is appealing for help from anyone who can help her catalogue the dolls so she can then ask museums and galleries if they would be interested in using them for an exhibition.

Mrs Albrighton said: “Ellen got so much pleasure out of the dolls and I’m sure other people would have the same.

“It’s a fantastic selection from all over the world.

“It’s such a massive collection and I wouldn’t even know where to begin even though I have tried to do it.

“There is bound to be someone out there who would know what to do who has an interest in dolls or maybe would just find it really interesting.

“Once they are in order they could then go to a local gallery of museum and they could be displayed in an exhibition that anybody could enjoy and would be in memory of my sister.”

The boxes and packaging for some of the dolls have been thrown away, devaluing some of them, but Mrs Albrighton does not want to make any money from the collection.

She said: “It’s not about the value but about doing something with the life-long collection she loved and about other people getting the same benefits and enjoyment from them.

Miss Daly lived in Leamington for 55 years.

She attended the Newbold Centre and was well known and loved at the centre for adults with learning difficulties.

A hoarder by nature, in the later part of her life she switched her attentions to collecting CDs and DVDs.

Mrs Albrighton said: “Ellen was the bravest, most loving,individual who enjoyed her life so much.

“She will remain the biggest inspiration to me.”

If you can help Mrs Albrighton call 07853 331214 or email [email protected]