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Over £200k raised by Preston and South Ribble Macmillan Fundraising Committee

Posted on - 13th December, 2021 - 12:00pm | Author - | Posted in - Charities, Preston News, South Ribble News
Preston and South Ribble Macmillan Fundraising Committee

A Lancashire-based charity fundraising group has reached a major milestone by collecting more than £200k for people affected by cancer.

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Preston and South Ribble Macmillan Fundraising Committee are aiming to now raise a quarter of a million pounds for Macmillan Cancer Support.

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During last year’s lockdown the dedicated committee still managed to raise an impressive £15,000, without staging a single event.

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They continued to collect kind donations from their close connections in the local community, including local pubs, golf clubs and rotary clubs, amongst many others.

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Tony Bonser and his wife Dorothy, from Hoghton, helped form the group a few months after the death of their son Neil from sarcoma in 2009.

Tony, Committee Chair, explains: “We got so much help and support from Macmillan, who were absolutely fantastic with Neal and our family, that we wanted to try and make sure the charity’s wide variety of services are available to as many other people affected by cancer as possible.

“It’s been a lot of hard work over the years, but we have thoroughly enjoyed it and made a lot of lovely friends along the way.

“New members are always welcome to join us and it’s extremely rewarding knowing we’re helping to make a difference to other families affected by cancer.

“We’re delighted to have raised £200,000, which has exceeded all our expectations. But we won’t stop there. We’ll keep on fundraising – and maybe aim for £250k – to help Macmillan continue the great they do.”

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Over the years the group’s gone from strength to strength and staged a variety of fundraisers, from fashion shows, craft fairs, coffee mornings and quiz nights to running marathons and even competing in body building contests.

Today the committee has 15 active members, aged six to 90, as well as a wider team of invaluable supporters.

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Lisa Martin, Macmillan’s Senior Relationship Fundraising Manager for Lancashire, said: “The Preston and South Ribble Committee are fabulous!

“Not only do they raise money for people living with cancer, they also inspire people to join them on their journey. They passionately promote Macmillan in everything they do, and we are incredibly grateful to them all.”

The charity champions were also recognised for their dedication and mammoth fundraising efforts in 2017 when they won Macmillan’s Regional Committee Award in 2017.

A year later young member, Grace Smith, eight, from Higher Wheelton, won a national Macmillan accolade in 2018 for her charitable work in support of her uncle – who sadly died just weeks before she scooped the award.

Macmillan’s Chief executive, Lynda Thomas, also praised the committee in a letter, saying: “We are all so proud of the achievements of the committee. Macmillan simply could not do what we do to support those living with cancer were it not for the steadfast commitment of supporters such as the Preston and South Ribble Committee.

“Thank you again for your most valued efforts, your passion and enthusiasm in supporting Macmillan to be there when we are needed the most.”

For further information about the group, to join or enquire about support for a fundraising event, call Tony on 01254 854323 or email tbonser@aol.com

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