A host of Bridgnorth area supporters of the Breakthrough Breast Cancer fund have been nominated for permanent recognition at the London research centre into the disease.
The names of contributors who donated £1,000 or more are to be displayed on the ‘Challengers’ Wall’ at the Toby Robins Breast Cancer Research Centre at the Institute of Cancer Research.
Local woman Shirley Rutter – who has beaten breast cancer three times and is the driving force behind the local fundraising – said that almost £150,000 had been raised locally, including parallel collections for prostate cancer and other charities, including Hope House, the Air Ambulance, Asthma UK and Headway.
“There are many local people and organisations who have generously donated time and money to this worthy cause and who have given me an amazing amount of friendship and support, for which I will be eternally grateful,” said Shirley.
She has four folders bursting with cuttings, letters, cards and photographs that detail the local fundraising events.
“The first £1,000 was raised through a tandem parachute jump in 1998,” recalled Shirley. “After we raised £5,000 through trekking in the Himalayas in 2000, I decided to aim for £10,000.”
Shirley’s hard work for the fund has brought recognition from the Prince of Wales, Breakthrough’s patron, who she has met three times. “Some nominations for ‘Wall 4’ recognise substantial donations as well as extraordinary personal support,” she added.
Those whose names have been nominated for the wall are as follows (from Bridgnorth unless stated) are:-
James Little, Pam Baker, Wendy Etchells, Jill Gee, Lesley Whitney, Robin Bennett, Sam Muscutt (Ludlow), Hywel Davies (Guilford), Sarah Norgrove, Simon Stevenson, Trevor Stevens, Helen Beevers, Ray Northover, Aidene Jackson, Jerry Dutton, Bob and Lyn Jones, Amy Walker, Marlene Morris, Mary Farrington, William Jones and Glen McLouis.
John Howarth, Sheila Lowe, Helen Wallace, Norma Tonkiss, ‘Lily’ of Bridgnorth, Nigel Hinton and Vicky Owen and Caroline Edge (all Shrewsbury), Amy Jeffs (Bilston), Caz Cox, Liz Rochelle, Carol Wood, Sam Wood, Jeanne and Dave Rae (Welford), Ben Rawlings, Rob Rawlings, Charles Foxall, Claire Foxall, Mary McGettrick, Eileen Taylor (Shrewsbury), Helen Allen, Mark Shelton and Gill Shelton.
Adam Hirons, Ashley Palfrey, Ian George, Bob and Ros Lyle, Richard Stirling, Wendy Stirling, Denis and Hazel Hadlington (Bobbington), Betty Painter, Judith and Darren Hodson, Su and Ian Horsfield, Mel Kelcher, Michaela Ratcliffe, Mark Peace, Dave Coleman and Corrine Fellows.
Paddy and David Connolly, Sylvia Gwynn (Stourbridge), Christopher Adams, Brendon McGettrick, Joanne Chetter, Jane Goucher, Maureen Foxall, Bridgnorth Rotary Club, Bridgnorth Lions, Friars Inn, Kev the Clipper (Kevern Jones), Bridgnorth Rugby Club, Lazersport, Cafe Thai Bangla (Albrighton), Parker Taylor, Rushbury & Cardington Young Farmers’ Club and Burwarton Young Farmers’ Club.
A V Birch, Hawkstone Park, Oldbury Wells School, Tanners Wines, Npower, Bridgnorth Dominoes League, Inchcape, the Dave Turnock Society, Grainger & Worrall, Edinburgh Woollen Mill, Aristocats, Ebenezers, Barclays Bank and Perry & Phillips.
Wolverhampton Round Table, Mystique (Shrewsbury), Bridgnorth Young Farmers’ Club, Bridgnorth Journal, Bridgnorth Endowed School, Bridgnorth Tennis Club, Worfield Golf Club, the Theatre on the Steps, The Dilraz, Bell & Talbot and Bridgnorth Music Festival.
On Wall Two are:- Bridgnorth Golf Club, Bridgnorth Leisure Centre, Anne Cooper, Bridget Williams, Lynn Painter, Cherry Sell, Val Cripps, Vince Jones, Tim Ely-Corbett, Kath Blundell, Michael Bolton, Helen and Dennis Bowman and Victoria, Richard and Shirley Rutter.
Shirley and her colleagues are organising a ‘credit-crunching cheap day out’ in aid of Breakthrough Breast Cancer, to Hawkstone Park and Follies on Sunday, March 29. The park re-opens for the season on that day and the manager has agreed to donate the £1 entrance fee to Breakthrough.
Coach travel would be £4.50 return from Innage Lane car park if enough people are interested. Further information can be obtained from Shirley Rutter on (01746) 761551 or from Hawkstone Park on (01939) 200611.