'Karaoke Karen' fundraiser launched for memorial to honour 'true icon' of Wellingborough

Paul Larkin has started a fundraising page to pay for a memorial in honour of Karen Cooper, a local legend known for her dancing and love of music.

After seeing a post on social media about it being 10 years since Karen died, Paul wants to mark the milestone for the woman who he describes as a ‘true icon of Wellingborough.’

Paul told the Northants Telegraph: “I have fond memories of Karen and always took time out of my sometimes busy day to say hello to her and have a chat, that was if I could get her to stop dancing.

"Whilst reading through the comments, it is clear that there are a lot of people in Wellingborough that also have fond memories of Karen.”

Karen could often be found dancing away to her favourite songs playing out of her boombox in Wellingborough town centre.

When she died aged 55 in 2016, people lined the streets and clapped as her funeral cortege passed through the town centre.

Karen’s brother Colin paid tribute to her after her death, saying she was a special woman who loved that she was famous.

Speaking back in June 2016, he said: “Karen suffered brain damage aged around three and had various illnesses but she fought hard.

“She’s been dancing away for years. She was a celebrity and she loved it.

“People used to ask her to sing in the clubs and dance at their birthday parties.

“All she wanted to do was make people smile and she did that.”

Messages of support and memories flooded in following her death, with hundreds calling for a permanent tribute to Karen in the town.

And it looks like this could be a step closer to becoming a reality a decade on from her death.

Paul recently posted on one of the Wellingborough Facebook pages to see if there would be any interest in a memorial for Karen, such as a plaque outside the Swansgate Shopping Centre or a Hollywood style star on the floor where she would dance outside the centre.

And Paul, who lived most of his life in Wellingborough before moving away from the area, said: “The response I got was somewhat overwhelming, it would seem there is a lot of support for this.”

Paul has since started making enquiries, including contacting the Swansgate management as well as both Wellingborough Town Council and North Northants Council.

The response he has had so far has been positive.

But while he waits for official responses from the various parties, he has launched a fundraising page, with £380 of a £1,000 target raised so far.

If you would like to support the fundraiser for a memorial for ‘Karaoke Karen’, click here.