Supporters of our Lingen Davies appeal received a welcome Christmas present after it was revealed £300,000 has been raised over the course of 2009 – bringing the total just shy of the £3 million mark.
The news was unveiled during the annual Lingen Davies festive get together which saw supporters and staff unite to celebrate the success of the mammoth fundraising drive which has secured £2.9 million so far.
Work will not begin on building a dedicated cancer treatment centre at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital until £3.2 million is secured, but appeal officials have hailed this year’s effort as ‘extremely generous’ during the difficult economic climate.
The Lingen Davies charity was launched in 1979 to fund a cobalt unit at the RSH and over the years local people have helped a number of different appeals.
The current cancer centre fund started in 2004 and the new purpose-built building will include an extension to the chemotherapy unit, an improved head and neck ward, and new facilities for haematology patients.
Special award
And this year a special fundraising award went to long-time supporters Fred and Joyce Boneham, from Hadnall, during a special ceremony attended by Shrewsbury’s Mayor Alan Townsend.
Earlier in the year, with the blessing of the owners of Sansaw Hall, near Hadnall, the couple organised a two-day garden event complete with guided walks in aid of the appeal.
Meanwhile, five appeal office volunteers were awarded as charity champions for all their hard work throughout the year. These went to Carol Ewels, of Ford Heath, Pearl Roland-Jones, of Radbrook, Veronica Hepworth, of Copthorne, Anne Woolland, of Frankwell, and Aurona Kenny, of Underdale.
The newly appointed chairman of the board of trustees Dr Barbara Marsh, Honorary Life President Roy Allan MBE and fundraising manager Eryl Williams commended the supporters for all their effort.
Eryl said: “Despite money being extremely tight, people have still given extremely generously and we’re very grateful.”
Louise Cliffe from the appeal added: “In view of the recession this is an amazing amount and we do want to say thank you very much to all of our supporters. We are expecting the Reindeer Run to have raised around £5,000 and sponsorship money is still coming in.
“The get together was very well attended and we all had a lot of fun. Everyone has been working extremely hard throughout the year and we couldn’t have done this without them.”
By Charlotte Hester