Macclesfield Express

Support group CAM-rades hit £600k mark for Christie

- ALEX SCAPENS

THE drive to get the £23m to bring the Christie to Macclesfie­ld began this year but fundraisin­g for the cancer hospital started in the town more than two decades ago.

In August 1996 a group of people in Macclesfie­ld who wanted to do their bit formed the Christie Appeal in Macclesfie­ld - or CAM for short.

Many of the group had been touched by cancer themselves and all of them had a desire to support the hospital’s poten

tially life-saving work.

Members raised £1,000 within six months and after 23 years the total raised stands at £600,000.

Sadly some of the founding members have passed away but others are still involved, including Richard and Carol Tonge, Ian Ashcroft and Sue Winder.

Current treasurer David Hollin, who joined in 1998, was persuaded to do so by Richard and Carol, who he was already friends with.

He said: “Both Richard and Carol Tonge were successful­ly overcoming cancers and both were treated at the Christie with chemothera­py and radiothera­py treatment with the same 12 month time frame.

“They were so impressed with the treatment they received that they wanted passionate­ly to give something back and cajoled their friends to join the fundraisin­g group.

“Richard and Carol were both so positive and enthusiast­ic that it was impossible to say no.

“In the early days, we did numerous gigs and functions. I’m sure people of a certain age will remember ‘the Screaming Beavers’ who were folklore in the Macclesfie­ld area and very supportive of our fundraisin­g.”

Other fundraisin­g endeavours have included a successful world record attempt to use the most different modes of transport in 24 hours.

They used more than 100, including a pogo stick, helicopter and even a Formula One car.

More traditiona­l fundraisin­g methods have also been used such as street collection­s, fashion shows, sponsored walks and Christmas card sales.

Dave said: “Particular praise must go to the Kings School, its annual fashion show where teachers and students strut their stuff on the catwalk is one of the highlights of the year.

“The Grosvenor Centre in Macclesfie­ld has been very supportive of our work and the charity dance nights arranged by the Mykita School of Dance are always popular.

“Most of all though, I want to thank the generous people of Macclesfie­ld, and the surroundin­g districts, who continue to donate to our cause. We are extremely grateful.”

 ??  ?? (From left) Sue Winder, Dave Hollin, Liz Mcmillan, Vicky Bissett, Anne Bruce, Frank Winder and Ruth Thomason of the Christie Appeal Macclesfie­ld
(From left) Sue Winder, Dave Hollin, Liz Mcmillan, Vicky Bissett, Anne Bruce, Frank Winder and Ruth Thomason of the Christie Appeal Macclesfie­ld

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