Two Norfolk women who arranged a sponsored walk in March have raised more than £7,000 for a national cancer charity.
Angela Hunter (left) and Judith Banks (right) with Deborah Adams, Cancer Research UK’s local fundraising manager for Norfolk and Suffolk
Judith Banks, 76, from Saxthorpe, and Angela Hunter, 57, from Sheringham, arranged the event in memory of their husbands Rev Michael Banks and Leigh Hunter, who both died from rare forms of cancer, hoping to raise £3,000 for Cancer Research UK.
On 9 March in very windy and wet conditions, 60 participants took part in the Spring March for Cancer Charities around the grounds of Blickling. Despite almost losing their gazebo to the elements the walkers carried on, with the total raised amounting to £7,254.64.
Mrs Banks said: “I am truly grateful for the amount of support I gained from Angela, and Fran at Blickling Hall in the planning, and also that of our sponsors, who surpassed our expectations by being so very generous. It was a tremendous effort on everyone’s part.”
Mrs Hunter added: “Losing a partner is an experience beyond comprehension. Between us, with the support of Cancer Research UK, the National Trust, our friends, families and strangers, Judith and I created a fundraising event.
“It brought people who’d suffered loss together, endeavouring to bring some good out of personal calamity, hoping that soon there will be an end to cancers of all sorts, and improved treatment.
“This journey has been an enormous opportunity for learning and brought Judith and me together as friends to support each other. It’s been extremely valuable to us both.”
Deborah Adams, the cancer charity’ local fundraising manager for Norfolk and Suffolk, said: “Angela and Judith are an absolute inspiration and we can’t thank them enough for this commitment to helping Cancer Research UK beat cancer sooner.
“One in two people in the UK will be diagnosed with cancer at some stage in their lives, but the good news is more people are surviving the disease now than ever before.
“Cancer survival in the UK has doubled since the early 1970s and Cancer Research UK’s work has been at the heart of that progress.
“However, we have only been able to achieve this thanks to the dedication and generosity of volunteers and supporters like Angela and Judith, without whom we would not be able to fund outstanding scientists, doctors and nurses.”
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