Ryton committee members are showing why they are a vital assest to UK-wide children's charity during lockdown

A group of volunteers in Ryton-On-Dunsmore are doing their best to ensure their fundraising for children’s charity Action Medical Research can continue during the Covid-19 pandemic.
By Oliver Williams
Published 29th Apr 2020, 13:43 GMT
Updated 29th Apr 2020, 13:46 GMT
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The Ryton–on-Dunsmore committee was formed in 1981 and currently has 11 members.

The group has been described by Action Medical Research as a "vital asset" to the charity.

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Committee chairwoman Eileen Lawson said the group had to take stock after it had to cancel an important fundraising event which usually raises about £1,000 for the cause

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The Ryton-on-Dunsmore Committee. Back row (l-r): Heather Williams, Miriam Mann, Irene Henry, Sylvia Marriott, Jay Durrant, Barbara Marsh and Carole Pearce. Front row (l-r): Janet Worrall, Eileen Lawson and Sylvia Dixon Missing: Diane Dixon.The Ryton-on-Dunsmore Committee. Back row (l-r): Heather Williams, Miriam Mann, Irene Henry, Sylvia Marriott, Jay Durrant, Barbara Marsh and Carole Pearce. Front row (l-r): Janet Worrall, Eileen Lawson and Sylvia Dixon Missing: Diane Dixon.
The Ryton-on-Dunsmore Committee. Back row (l-r): Heather Williams, Miriam Mann, Irene Henry, Sylvia Marriott, Jay Durrant, Barbara Marsh and Carole Pearce. Front row (l-r): Janet Worrall, Eileen Lawson and Sylvia Dixon Missing: Diane Dixon.

She said:“Obviously we have to maintain our social distancing

"But after we cancelled our annual coffee morning and plant sale on May 23 we all had a think about what we could do instead.”

For the past few weeks, committee member Miriam Mann, 70, has been baking cakes and leaving them in her front porch for neighbours to collect and make donations.

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Her husband John has been doing the same with plants grown in their garden.

Meanwhile, Sylvia Dixon, 74, and her husband John have also been growing plants in their garden and selling them to nearby friends and family.

Eileen said the response from local residents has been heart-warming

She said: “It’s wonderful to see so many people rally around and help support us.

"There’s been a real sense of community spirit.

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“We hope that we can get near our £1,000 fundraising goal.”

Action Medical Research is a UK-wide children’s charity which funds desperately needed research to tackle the diseases that devastate the lives of so many of our children.

It has been funding medical breakthroughs since it began in 1952 including helping to introduce the first polio vaccines in the UK, developing the use of ultrasound in pregnancy and testing the rubella vaccine.

It is currently funding research into areas including premature birth, epilepsy, scarlet fever, cerebral palsy, brain cancer and some rare and distressing conditions.

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Regional community fundraiser Ruth Dean said: "We are very lucky to have so many passionate committees across the UK.

“The ladies and their other halves in Ryton–on-Dunsmore are so active and their commitment really does make a big difference.

"Especially in times like these.

“I’d like to thank all the committee members for their continued hard work and to the local community for supporting them through cake and plant purchases."