Captains chip in to aid charity

HANDOVER: Saddleworth Golf Club captains Anita Scholes and Dave Pullen hand their fundraising proceeds to Pat Fernandes (centre), secretary of the Christie’s at Oldham appeal.

SADDLEWORTH golfers got the art of fundraising off to a tee when they netted £4,500 for charity.

The Christie’s at Oldham appeal was chosen by Saddleworth Golf Club captains Dave Pullen and Anita Scholes as their charity for the year.

An they handed over the proceeds of their fundraising efforts to the appeal, which supports the Christie’s £17 million radiotherapy centre under construction at the Royal Oldham Hospital.

The fund now stands at £122,000, and the pair chose to support it because they both have family members who are affected by cancer.

Dave said: “My mum was treated at The Christie for breast cancer, and now she’s fighting fit, so choosing to support The Christie for 2009 was an obvious choice.

“And being from Oldham, and a new radiotherapy centre opening in the town, it was even more important to me.”

The development is the first in a unique network of Christie radiotherapy centres where cancer patients can be treated closer to home.

It will be the first of its kind in the UK, and transform the way cancer patients are treated.

Community fundraising officer for The Christie charity, Jacky Plant, said; “We were thrilled when, thanks to the Oldham Evening Chronicle campaign, local people managed to raise £100,000 for our new centre in just seven months.

“Thank you just doesn’t convey our gratitude enough. This radiotherapy centre just wouldn’t about to become a reality without the support of everyone who went out of their way to raise money or make a donation.”

Appealing for Old-hamers to continue their support, she added: “Despite reaching this fantastic target, we’d still encourage people, like the Saddleworth golfers, to raise funds for the centre whenever they can.

“Once it is open, donations will help us maintain and fund vital equipment and facilities.”