Press Release - 30th August 2001
PAT SPURNED BOOZE BUT RAISED £25,000 IN PUBS AND CLUBS
Patricia Clarke has raised nearly £25,000 for The Christie by
selling mini-teddies and other cuddly toys in pubs and clubs in South
Manchester and Cheshire. Yet in seven years she has never been tempted to have a drink.
Fundraising and alcohol aren't a good mix. I like a drink sometimes,
but never when I m helping Christie's," says Patricia, who offered
support after seeing a TV programme about the cancer centre's work.
She began in local pubs around her Northern Moor home but gradually
extended her territory into Cheadle, Stockport, Sale and as far
away as Congleton "because you can't keep asking the same people
all the time". Those who didn't want to buy were happy to drop
coins into Christie collection boxes.
"Small-town pubs and clubs generate a sociable atmosphere which
makes people more generous," adds Patricia. But her latest
cheque, for £4,913, may be her last as she has not been well recently.
Praising her dedication, hospital Regional The Christie charityr Jacky
Plant says: "Patricia is a lovely lady who has worked really
hard for the hospital. She has made an important contribution to
the fight against cancer and we shall miss her very much."
Helped by her daughter Dawn Newbiggin, Patricia's earlier fundraising
efforts bought equipment for The Christie's Paterson Institute cancer
research labs. At her request, the latest money will support the
Institute's gene therapy research programme which is exploring new
approaches to the treatment of cancer. Honorary Lecturer Dr David
Gilham says these include the use of genes to encourage normal cells
to attack and destroy tumour cells. Genes are also used to protect
important cells from the chemotherapy used to treat many cancers.
For more information please contact:
The Christie in Manchester is one of the leading cancer centres in Europe - registering around 12,500 new patients and treating about 40,000 patients every year.
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