Tea total tops £50,000 mark
Fundraisingreacheslandmark
NICOLA FINDLAY
A fundraising tea in memory of a muchloved husband and son has helped ‘Kick Cancer’s Backside’ to the tune of £50,000.
The annual Tea for Stewart’ was again held in Westwood Parish Church in memory of Murray man Stewart Smith who lost his battle with bowel cancer in 2014 aged just 28.
Family, friends and supporters gathered in Westwood Parish Church to raise as much cash as possible for the Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research UK, which specialises in the research of treatments for bowel cancer.
This time round they raised over £2400 – but over the six events his family have topped £50,000.
The day is organised by Stewart’s mum Mary and his widow Geraldine.
Mary told the News: “Once again, the church hall was decorated in claret and amber, the colours of Motherwell Football Club of which Stewart was a lifelong supporter.
“Over 160 people were treated to a fine meal of sandwiches, savoury snacks, home baking, tea and even a glass of sangria, Pimms or prosecco if they wished.”
Although Mary and Geraldine stipulate that the event itself is free, a collection is taken for cancer research.
Mary went on: “This was the sixth such event and was the biggest and most successful yet for the Kick Cancer’s Backside Fund which donates money to the Bobby Moore Fund.
“The event marked a milestone for the Kick Cancer’s Backside Fund as the amount took the total raised to over £50,000.”
Mum Mary and widow Geraldine want to do all they can to support the charity in the hope that one day, hopefully, a cure for the horrible disease that is bowel cancer.
Mary added: “The tea is also aimed at raising awareness that bowel cancer can affect young people as well as old; Stewart was only 26 when he was diagnosed with the disease and 28 when it killed him.”
Family would like to thank all the volunteer helpers who worked so hard to make the day run smoothly.
They would also like to thank Morrisons of Stewartfield for their donation; Warburtons bakery for supplying the bread for the event and D. M. Hall who donated the Prosecco. Thanks also go to Westwood Parish Church for allowing the event to be held there.
But most of all they want to thank everyone who attended for their generosity in their donations to the fund.