Kath and Andy O’Donnell thanked by Cancer Research UK

Kath and Andy O’Donnell

Fundraisers Kath and Andy O’Donnell from Dearnley, Littleborough, who have raised over £50,000 for Cancer Research UK, have been invited to a special luncheon in London so Cancer Research UK can thank them for all of their work.

The couple have been fundraising for nine years and hold a variety of events throughout the year to raise the money.

Kath said: “It is a real privilege to be asked to go to London. We are really looking forward to it but we don’t do the fundraising to get the recognition.”

The couple have been invited to the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel in London on Thursday 28 April where they will be treated to a three course meal with Frances
Milner, Simon O’Leary and other senior members of the Cancer Research UK team.

Kath and Andy decided to raise money for Cancer Research UK following Andy’s diagnosis with testicular cancer in 2004.

“We had to wait until his treatment was finished but once that was done Andy said he wanted to do something to raise some money and it has just gone from there really. We are hoping to be in excess of £60,000 by the end of the year,” said Kath.

The first event organised by Kath and Andy was a golf event, which is now in its tenth year.

Kath added: “The golf event was done because it is something that Andy likes so we held that and it went really well. That event is in its tenth year this year and
is still really popular.”

Other events organised by Kath and Andy include the Doggy Dash for Life at Hollingworth Lake and the upcoming Hack Off Cancer which takes place on Sunday 8 March.

Kath said: “Even though I am not too well myself at the minute, I still enjoy getting out there and doing these events. It really does put a smile on your face when you see what you have done.”