Super fund-raiser glad to give something back

Photo: Darren Robinson

Gill Bussey

YEARS of fund-raising which have netted more then £43,000 for local charities, earned Delph grandmother Gill Bussey a Pride in Oldham nomination.

Gill broke into the world of charity work at a fashion show when one of her daughters was due to go on the catwalk, modelling for “First Impressions by Gail” of Stalybridge.

The compere failed to turn up, and Gill recalled: “I said I would have a go as it was to raise money for the Mandy Turner Appeal for Tameside Hospital. It just happened by chance, and that’s how it all started.”

Gill (63) has organised dozens of events over the years, from fashion shows and lunches to aerobathons and charity rock shows involving local schoolchildren.

The charity champion has helped many local causes, including Dr Kershaw’s Hospice, Marie Curie Cancer Care, the Make a Wish Foundation, Duchene’s, the RSPCA and the Motor Neurone Disease Association.

Nominating her fellow fund-raiser, Jill Moore said: “I have worked with Gill over the last five years, so I have first-hand knowledge of the enormous amount of time and hard work that is needed in helping local worthy causes to raise much-needed funds.

“I believe that Gill is one of the unsung heroes always thinking of others and willing to go the extra mile to help people less fortunate than herself.”

The two women have run Ladies Day at Ascot events over the past five years at the White Hart, Lydgate, raising around £20,000 for Dr Kershaw’s — a charity which Gill describes as her baby.

She said of the nomination: “I’m shocked and overwhelmed.

“I only do these things because I have haven’t had a bad life and it’s my way of giving something back.

“If something pulls at my heartstrings I always think what can I do to help because every pound helps.

“Fashion shows and lunches are always well supported because people enjoy coming to them — if they didn’t, they wouldn’t come again.”

Gill, who has two daughters, one step-daughter and a step-son, paid tribute to her husband Bill, who, she said was a great support running her around as she organises events.