A group of friends dubbed the Fraserburgh Five have celebrated reaching an incredible milestone in their 13-year fundraising campaign.
Cheryl Stephen, Tina Gibbins, Edie Paul, Val Esslemont and Sandra Simpson have organised a variety of events over the years to support local cancer charity Friends of Anchor, and last night presented their latest cheque of £11,750.
It brings the team’s combined total to an incredible £140,000.
Events in the last year have included a race night, and their now annual charity dance which is hosted at the Ban-Car Hotel in Lonmay which alone raised £7,000.
Last night, Mrs Gibbins said the team had originally set out to raise just £100,000, but would not have been able to smash that goal without local support.
“We initially set out to reach our fundraising target of raising £100,000 in 10 years,” she said.
“Having reached the six-figure sum, we have continued to raise money for Friends of Anchor as we have all been touched by cancer in some way; either we have been treated or have visited relatives or friends who have received excellent care at the Anchor unit.
“People still don’t hear enough about what Friends of Anchor do and to be able to say that the money raised is staying local and people in our area can see where the money is going , knowing that the funds is benefiting our loved ones, is very special.”
The money raised by the Fraserburgh Five will be used to purchase potentially lifesaving medical equipment for cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Patient services will also be provided through its Anchor unit at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, and research carried out at the Aberdeen University.
Anchor fundraising manager Sarah-Jane Hogg said praised the women’s efforts.
She said: “We are incredibly honoured to have our special collective of the ‘Fraserburgh Five’ championing the cause year-after-year in the way the ladies do. A huge thank-you for all the hard work, dedication and passion that each of them pour in to supporting the charity.”
All of the charity’s running and administration costs are covered by sponsorship from Balmoral Group.
