Fresh target for Link4Pink appeal

OLDHAM’S Link4Pink appeal has been a huge fund-raising success — hitting the original £60,000 target only nine months after its launch.

The appeal kicked-off in June when breast surgeon Maria Bramley pulled on her walking shoes and led a party of supporters on a lakeside stroll and picnic around Hollingworth Lake, Littleborough.

The effort netted a massive £5,000, showing the level of support for the cause, with determined fund-raisers on the day battling against unseasonal howling winds to make their mark.

The event acted as a catalyst for Oldhamers to organise their own fund-raising events. The fund got a major boost when another Oldham breast surgeon, Ian McIntosh, raided his patients’ endowment fund to make a £31,925 gift to the appeal. The £60,000 covers the cost of a conservatory for the Royal Oldham Hospital’s overcrowded Victoria Breast Unit.

Patients who may have to spend the best part of a day at the unit often have to wait in cramped conditions, sometimes standing. The conservatory was the idea of Miss Bramley.

Jan Bolton, charitable fund-raising manager for Pennine Acute Trust, said the appeal had been such a success that the specifications were being changed to include one-way glass, outside landscaping and furnishings. The swift success of the appeal led fund-raisers to extend the target to £250,000, to further improve the breast care service. And a group of nine women have now set up a Link4Pink committee to champion the cause. Rita Bottomley is its chairman, and the cause is close to her heart after her daughter-in-law Joanne Bottomley was diagnosed with breast cancer three years ago.

“She was four months’ pregnant, and I made a few promises up above that I would help,” said Rita, who lives in Royton.

“We are so grateful that Joanne got the right people to save her and her baby, Lila.

“She is three in August and I know a miracle has been performed. You have to give something back in life and this is my way of doing that.”

Rita suffered a further blow when her friend Maureen Nichols, also a member of the committee, was diagnosed with breast cancer last year.

The committee’s next fund-raiser is on Saturday, June 6, with a concert by Saddleworth Male Voice choir and a soloist at St Anne’s Church, Royton. Tickets are £10 on 0161-626 6935.


TO get help or advice in setting up a fund-raising event, contact the appeals office on 0161-446 3988, visit www.christies.org or text OLDHAM CHRISTIE followed by your name and address to 07971-456824 to receive a fund-raising pack. The pack will have details on how to make sure your money goes to the Christie At Oldham Appeal. Cheques should be made payable to The Christie (Oldham Evening Chronicle). If sending cash, enclose a covering letter to say it is for the Christie At Oldham campaign.