SUPPORT from the community of St Helens have helped a mum-of-two become the "highest fundraiser in the North West" for Macmillan Cancer Support, as she raised a staggering £13,000 in honour of two family members lost to the illness.
Vicky Ford, from Eccleston, started her fundraising as part of Macmillan coffee mornings back in 2017, raising money in memory of her Aunt Miriam who died of brain cancer aged 45.
Starting as an intimate occasion at home with a handful of friends, Vicky's events have since took on a life of their own, growing into family fun days at Windleshaw Sports Club and raising more than £15,000 prior to this year.
Each year, Vicky's donations to Macmillan North West have grown exponentially and this year was no exception, raising a mammoth £13,000 in one weekend.
Taking her total money raised to an incredible £28,000 over five years, Vicky was informed by a Macmillan representative that she was the "highest fundraiser in the North West, and possibly the country".
After losing her husband's uncle Bill to cancer earlier this year, Vicky dedicated this year's fundraiser to him, Miriam and all those lives cut short by cancer.
Taking place at Windleshaw Sports Club on Sunday, September 26, the event consisted of a raffle, silent auction, bottomless brunch, fashion show and a jazz band to entertain the 85 attending guests.
Vicky, an optical receptionist, said: "It was just amazing. Everyone was up singing and dancing for the band, and I'm made up we smashed last year's target."
Explaining that donations from local people and businesses helped to create a 150-prize raffle, which included spa breaks, romantic getaways, meals out and golf courses, Vicky said she can't thank the community enough for their help.
She added: "I never asked for anything but was given so many prizes that will also pump money back into the community.
"Macmillan have been down around £40 million in fundraising due to the pandemic [...] so I just want to thank all the local companies and people who supported me to raise this amount."
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