Fenny Compton cancer fundraisers mark 25 years

Gay Mathie and Suzanne Pratt show off some of the prizes to be won at their charity Christmas fair.

And tomorrow (Saturday), Gay Mathie and Suzanne Pratt are looking forward to welcoming crowds to Fenny Compton village hall for their 25th Christmas fayre, proceeds of which will be split between Cancer Research UK and the children’s cancer charity CLIC Sargeant.

The pair’s efforts began in 1988, when they decided to organise a coffee morning to raise funds for cancer research. And then they - with the help of friends, family and other volunteers - just continued, working hard over the years to run hairdressing marathons, open gardens events, lunches, antiques evenings and jazz nights, to name a few.

The biggest and most consistent fundraiser is their popular Christmas fayre and raffle - and this year, there will also be a Christmas Tree of Light, which will be switched next weekend.

For the past three years, proceeds from the fayre have also gone to CLIC Sargeant and proceeds from this year’s tree will be split between the two cancer causes.

Mrs Mathie said: “We are so grateful to everyone who has supported us over the years, including local businesses. They have helped us put the ‘fun’ into fundraising so we want to say a big thank you to them all.

“This year we also want to thank Daphne and Nigel Leck at the Merrie Lion who are generously hosting our Tree for Life.

“Fundraising for these two charities is really important because neither receives any Government money to fund their vital work.”

The fayre tomorrow (November 23) will be opened by Father Christmas at 2pm and there will be a range of stalls, attractions, festive refreshments and the annual raffle.

The Tree of Light outside the Merrie Lion in High Street will be lit up on Saturday November 30 at 5pm. People are invited to sponsor a light for £5, which they can dedicate to a loved one who has passed away or is not able to be with them at Christmas.

To sponsor a light or find out more about Mrs Mathie’s and Mrs Pratt’s fundraising, call 01295 770982 or 01295 770243 or email [email protected] or [email protected]

Current estimates by cancer experts suggest that more than one in three people in the UK will develop one form of cancer in their lifetimes.

To find out more about the two charities the women support, visit www.cancerresearchuk.org or www.clicsargent.org.uk