Two Penwortham residents have hosted a socially-distanced summer fete to raise over £700 for Rosemere Cancer Foundation.
AdvertisementNeighbours Norma Blackburn and Margaret Dunn raised £709 by holding the event on the drive at Norma’s home.
A balloon fence, signs and banners helped to alert passers-by to the event,
which had an array of gift and good as new stalls. There was also a tombola with prizes donated by Morrisons in Bamber Bridge.
Despite the pandemic, it was the duo’s second fundraising sale of the year for the charity, which is based in Royal Preston Hospital in Fulwood.
In February, they hosted their ninth annual ‘grand do’ in St Leonard’s Church Hall, which brought in £2,356.91 in just two-and-a-half hours.
Read more: Norma and Margaret’s ‘grand do’ returns to raise funds for Preston charity
Norma said: “Little did anyone know it at the time but our do became one of Rosemere Cancer Foundation’s last fundraising events.
“Both Margaret and I have been helping the charity since 2011 when I lost my husband Steve to cancer and Margaret lost a close friend.
“We are both well aware of the good the charity does to help people locally with cancer, and so wanted to do something as soon as we could to help in its hour of need.
“I would like to thank everyone who came, Morrisons’ charity champion, plus all those who left donations for the event in bags and boxes outside my door. All appreciated and all helped to make this wonderful total.”
Dan Hill, the charity’s chief officer, said: “We are extremely grateful to Norma and Margaret for their fantastic support as always.
“Our income is about 65 per cent down on where it should be. We have a number of ongoing project commitments that we have to honour and a growing list of potential future projects that we are desperate to support. Any help at this time would be much appreciated.”
Read more: Fulwood resident won’t let coronavirus get in the way of annual fundraiser
Retired sales manager and mum-of-one Norma and mum-of-two Margaret, who had a sandwich shop in Preston city centre for many years before she retired, have been friends for more than 30 years and were Rosemere Cancer Foundation’s 2017 supporters of the year.
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What do you think of Norma and Margaret’s efforts? Did you go to the summer fete? Let us know in the comments.