£900,000 thank-you

Lilian last year, when she appealed for new recruits

OLDHAMERS can give themselves a pat on the back after helping fundraising supremos bring in an incredible £900,000 to aid the fight against cancer.

But it’s the end of era for Oldham-based Christie Against Cancer, which has finally decided to close operations.

The group handed over its last cheque and bade farewell to the fundraising that has taken up so much of their lives.

Christie Against Cancer was founded 17 years ago by Lilian Walsh, sparking the start of a phenomenal fundraising record.

In 2003 she was awarded a Pride in Oldham award for her passion for fundraising, and the group made a huge contribution to the £100,000 appeal which helped the Christie set up a new radiotherapy centre on the Royal Oldham Hospital site in 2010.

Lilian, 85, now struggles to find the energy for the work and increasingly relies on her vice chairman, Peter Snow.

When the group twice made desperate appeals through the Chronicle for new blood, it got little response.

Lilian said: “I have really enjoyed fundraising over the years and it will be a big change for me but I am due for retiring.”

Peter (50) said he too felt it was time to step down in the light of Lilian’s “retirement,” and the group’s dwindling membership.

He said: “There are so many charities trying to raise money that it is getting increasingly difficult to raise funds.

“Fundraising has been a big part of my life and I am sad that Christie Against Cancer has come to an end.”