THOSE fantastic ladies have done it again.
On Saturday, the Teesdale Branch of Cancer Research UK handed over a cheque for a whopping £95,000 to help beat cancer. The money raised this year, which comes on top of the £1million that the group has gathered over the past 45 years, will directly help researchers to create breakthrough drugs.
Cancer Research UK aims to ensure that three in four people struck down by the disease will survive by 2034.
The money was handed over at the branch’s annual Christmas fair at Cotherstone Village Hall on Saturday.
Cancer Research UK’s area fundraising manager, Janet Leafe, said: “Every year this group surpasses our expectations. Every single penny adds up to allow our scientists to do their life-saving work. It’s down to this amazing group and the generous rural community of Teesdale.”
She said the “phenomenal” effort was all the more amazing because the huge amount had been raised in such a sparsely populated area.
“One in two of us is going to be diagnosed with cancer at some point. But there is hope thanks to groups like Teesdale,” said Ms Leafe. Prof Steve Wedge, head of Cancer Research’s drug discovery unit at Newcastle, said: “This is amazing. Last year the group went passed the £1m barrier and to raise another £95,000 again this year – well, we had no expectation that they
would do it.”
He explained how his team were working on breakthrough drugs to tackle ovarian and bladder cancers with a number going through medical trials.
Prof Wedge told the dale fundraisers: “You are having a really big impact. Your money will fund a number of researchers for a whole year.”
Fundraising in Teesdale over the past year has included everything from anonymous donations and money left in memory of loved ones to sunflower competitions, coffee mornings, music events, bongo bingo and quizzes.
The Beanfields Ball, put on by Rebecca Tiplady, brought in a staggering £22,649, while the Butler and Gee ball at Lartington added a whopping £8,730.
A list of fundraising events and donations given out at the fair on Saturday filled two sides of A4 paper.
Pam Ashmore, from the Teesdale Branch of Cancer Research UK, thanked everyone’s family and friends, as well as the wider community, for their efforts.
She added: “We want to beat cancer sooner. We hear about the fantastic work being done in Newcastle. Everybody knows someone who has or has had cancer, and it’s nice to know we are helping.”
Ms Ashmore and fellow committee member Maureen Bainbridge, one of the original founders of the branch, were recently awarded Cancer Research’s Flame of Hope, which celebrates the most inspiring volunteers from across the charity.
It’s Cancer Research’s highest accolade and the pair follow in the footsteps of Brenda Thwaites who received it two years ago.
All three say they are “very proud”.
The committee is keen to get new members. To get involved, call Pam Ashmore on 07716 293618 or 01833 638652.
