I seldom use this blog to promote third party causes, but I was pleased today to receive a press release from the Leukaemia charity 'Bloodwise' which highlighted the good work being done by one of our hard working activists, Brenni Wilson (wife of former Maidstone & The Weald Chairman, Cllr John Wilson). Nice to see how the "red carpet" set live whilst Cllr Paperclips and I trudge around Bookers Cash & carry in Chatham buying cheese for the Association's Christmas Cheese and Wine Party.
Maidstone cancer survivor meets X Factor judge and finalist at star-studded charity event
Maidstone leukaemia survivor Brenda Wilson relished in a red carpet moment with Radio 1 DJ Nick Grimshaw and X Factor finalist Ché Chesterman at the Royal Albert Hall on Tuesday (8 December).
Ché gave a rousing rendition of “Try a Little Tenderness” in front of a packed crowd during the Christmas With The Stars event hosted by blood cancer charity Bloodwise. Ché then came backstage with Nick, his X Factor mentor, to chat to blood cancer patient Brenda and her husband John.
Brenda, from East Farleigh, was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia in January 2004 but is now in remission. Since her illness the couple have been keen supporters of Bloodwise, and taken part in many fundraising events for the charity. The couple belong to the Maidstone branch of Bloodwise, which has so far raised more than £365,000 for the charity.
Brenda said: “It was an incredible night and we were thrilled to meet Nick and Ché. I can’t wait to tell my daughter and grandsons all about our celebrity encounter.”
Cathy Gilman, chief executive of Bloodwise, adds: “Our ability to help blood cancer patients depends on people like Brenda and John raising funds for our work, year on year. We can’t thank them and everyone else involved with the Maidstone branch enough for their loyalty and tireless efforts.”
This winter, Bloodwise is hosting “Susan’s Appeal”, a fundraising campaign which celebrates the charity’s 55-year heritage and the community fundraising at the core of its existence. The charity was formed in 1960 in Middlesbrough by the parents of Susan Eastwood, a six-year-old girl who died from leukaemia, and has raised and invested over half a billion pounds in blood cancer research.
In September 2015 the charity changed its name from Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research to reflect the scope of the life-changing work it carries out for all blood cancer patients.
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