Press Release - 11th July 2006
ANOTHER STRAWBERRY SUCCESS FOR ILSE AND BOB
Gemma is pictured at the YOU with her mum Lynne and dad Nic.Strawberry fanatics Ilse and Bob Splaine have celebrated the success of their annual strawberry fayre by raising a record amount of more than £2,000.
For the past 15 years, the Atherton couple have opened up their Cumberland Road home for a strawberry fayre - and to date have raised more than £50,000 personally for The Christie in Manchester.
The money they raise at the strawberry fayre is also boosted by other events throughout the year including Christmas sales and many collections in the Atherton area. This year's grand total is a fabulous £11,225 - smashing all previous years' totals.
Ilse said: "I have personal experience of what a tremendous place The Christie is and I am more determined than ever to continue fundraising to help the hospital in its battle against the terrible disease of cancer, although I might have to slow down just a little!
Bob, who also sits as a Councillor for Atherton, added: "We're thrilled to raise this latest amount and we would like to say a special thank you to all our family, friends and neighbours, and an extra big thank you to Tom McLoughlin and his son Edward who donated all the fruit or the big day - it wouldn't have been possible without any of our supporters."
Ilse herself was treated at Christie's eighteen years ago when she had surgery and chemotherapy for advanced cancer of the abdomen and ovaries. At one stage she was given just two months to live, but she battled through thanks to her treatment and has been fundraising ever since to thank The Christie for saving her life.
Since then the couple have become Ambassadors for The Christie and often attend events as official representatives of the hospital's charity to thank other fundraisers for their hard work. In total they have brought in more than £175,000 to the Christie.
Christie Appeals Director Toni Leden said: "Ilse and Bob are two of Christie's most ardent supporters. As well as being magnificent fundraisers as this latest donation shows, they also do whatever they can to help, acting as ambassadors for the hospital and telling everybody about the work that is carried out here. We really are very grateful for everything they do - and it is thanks to their efforts that patients will benefit for many years to come."
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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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