PROCEEDS from an impromptu auction of a packet of cigarettes at a funeral wake have been handed over to cancer charities.
When friends and family gathered to celebrate the life of Anne Moss, from Rokeby, who died earlier this year, they dug deep into their pockets to raise cash for charity.
An auction came about when widower Peter found an unopened packet of cigarettes belonging to his late wife.
He said: “Anne smoked even though we badgered her not to. I noticed there was one little packet that she hadn’t opened and I said to a friend why don’t you auction it off. I thought we’d double our money and maybe raise £20.”
The auction raised £10,000 and Mr Moss and daughter Clare Moss-Clennell handed over cheques to Teesdale branch of Cancer Research UK and Macmillan Nurses during a get-together at Thorpe Farm Cafe, near Rokeby, attended by friends, neighbours and family who took part in the auction.
Mr Moss added: “The money was raised in Anne’s memory. We raised a fantastic amount and I think she would have been proud.”
Ms Moss-Clennell said: “We wanted to raise money for Teesdale Cancer Research and Macmillan Nurses, as the
support from them was fantastic.
“My mum was a big fan of Fairfax and Favor boots that have interchangeable tassels and they have now got a Cancer Research one, so I got them and am wearing them in her memory.”
