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| Christine 1947 - 2016 |
On behalf of John, family and the Somerset Group
She will be sadly missed by family and friends, the lady who touched many people's lives with her passion and dedication in the fight against breast cancer.
Christine saw
much advancement in the detection and treatment of breast cancer since she was
first diagnosed in 1988, but unfortunately it was the long-term effects of earlier
treatments for the disease which ultimately contributed to her failing health.
Many of these life-saving improvements have come from the research laboratories
& hospitals of Breast Cancer Now (formerly Breakthrough Breast Cancer and
Breast Cancer Campaign charities) and Christine was very proud to have raised
over £400,000 since she first founded our Somerset group back in 1997 with her
husband John.
Christine's work was recognised with several awards, including the Bristol Evening Post's Woman of Courage 2002 and winner of BBC Inspiration Award 2008. Christine was also involved in the All Party Parliamentary Committee on breast cancer.
Despite further
diagnosis and treatment in 2001, Christine continued to lead the group, raising
money and awareness for Breakthrough with a whole string of events, including:
- A Tug of War completion with presenters of ITV
- Twist on the Beach in 2002 recognised by the
Guinness Book of Record
- A visit to Burnham-on-Sea from the Rugby World Cup
relay message ball in 1999 on its way to Cardiff Arms Park (now Millennium Stadium)
- Pulling Humphrey the Camel around the streets of
Bath
- Launching Julie's Legacy in 2011
- A world record attempt for the largest rugby scrum
- Appearances on both local and national radio promoting awareness
- Christmas shopping fairs, summer fetes and annual
gala balls
- Pink balloon walks, fashion shows, wicked women
evenings and ladies nights
- Golf events, skydives, quiz and race nights
It feels impossible
to list all the events which Christine organised and inspired, but even after
almost two decades of fundraising she continued to be thrilled by every type of
support given to the group, whether it was news of a fresh collection tin being
placed on a local shop counter or a pair of 4K TVs being donated for our ball's auction last year.
Christine’s
passion for the fight against breast cancer also benefited local people as well
as Breakthrough’s world class research centres; in 2009, on behalf of the
SomersetWomen Campaign, Christine was delighted to present cheques totaling £80,000 to four Somerset clinics, including the Breast Care Centre at Weston
General Hospital and Musgrove Park Hospital.
Christine's funeral is to be held on Monday 25th January 2016 at St Mary's Church in Berrow followed by a Celebration of Christine's life at The BASC in Burnham-on-Sea. All of who knew Christine and family are welcome to attend, but please favour bright colourful clothing over black.
