TEESDALE fundraisers have raised a whopping £75,000 over the past year to help prevent, diagnose and treat cancer – including £20,000 left in someone’s will.
Teesdale branch of Cancer Research UK (CRUK) handed over the cash to the charity’s research centre at Newcastle during its annual Christmas coffee morning on Saturday, November 19.
The cash will be used at the centre’s drug discovery unit and its Childhood Cancer Research Centre.
Branch fundraiser Pam Ashmore said: “There have been many individual groups and businesses [that have made] donations. Thank you to the support we get from Barnard Castle Cricket Club, our local undertakers and all of the Teesdale community who have helped us raise this fantastic amount, which has gone to the scientists at Newcastle to help find better and kinder ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer.”
Among the groups that contributed were Rokeby Farmers Ball which gave £2,522, authors Paul and David Rabbitts who gave £1,942 from the proceeds of their book about Cotherstone, and Hamsterley Hoppings added £500.
Another £2,174 was raised during Eggleston Show
A further £3,764 was given by people who took part in the 10,000 steps in March challenge, and residents Annie Dent and Bec Kesterson added £525 through a 100-mile challenge in October. A single legacy contribution added £20,000 and donations in memory of loved ones amounted to £10,800.
Branch activities added £4,115 through bingo nights, £2,898 during Pam’s Pink Day, £2,480 from coffee mornings, £1,400 during a Bongo Bingo event and £2,000 through sales of Christmas cards and diaries.
A Turn Barney Pink campaign raised a further £3,548.
CRUK relationship manager Jan Leafe described the Teesdale branch as “pulling out all the stops” over the past year to raise the cash, all of which would be spent in the north east.
She added: “Examples of research happening right now in the North East includes, improving treatment for children and young people with blood cancer, with scientists developing a more precise mathematical method for determining a person’s risk of the disease returning. This method is being used as part of a clinical trial to help guide doctors’ treatment decisions.
“We know how essential these funds are, as around 16,700 people, including children, are diagnosed with cancer in the North East each year. But we also know how difficult times are and I wanted to say a huge thank you to Teesdale Cancer Research and supporters for your amazing support.
“Together we will beat cancer.”
