Focus on Heywood: Heywood Local Committee – Cancer Research UK

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Auriel Atkins and Joan Ashton

The Heywood Committee of Cancer Research UK is one of many local committees across the country.

It is currently made up of 11 committee members, who are all ladies who have either been cancer patients themselves or have a close personal link to somebody who has had cancer.

The Heywood Committee has been running for 50 years, the ladies have financial reports dating back for thirty years which show they have raised a total of £250,000.

The current chair woman of the group is Mrs Auriel Atkins; she has been involved for the past eight years.

Rochdale Online reporter Laura Wild met with Mrs Atkins and the committee’s treasurer Joan Ashton, who has been involved for the past six years – to find out more about the committee and how they raise their funds.

Over the years the ladies have hosted a whole host of different events including dance competitions, coffee mornings, afternoon teas, quizzes, book sales, fashion shows and many more.

Mrs Atkins said: “We try to have events that give people enjoyment as well as raising money.”

On average over the past few years they have raised a massive £10,000 a year to send to Cancer Research UK. Aside from the fundraising events they host money is also made up from kind donations received from funerals.

The committee has also had a collectors miniature mini-cooper made bearing their logo which has been very popular, with 32 of the 50 made already sold.

Of course aside from all the organising the ladies do have some fun, when asked what has kept them going Mrs Atkins said: “I enjoy the friendship I have with the people on the committee.” Mrs Ashton echoed these thoughts and also said: “We feel like we are doing some good. We all have the same aim; we are giving our time up to raise money for a good cause which affects every household and family in some way.”

Last year the committee raised over £2,000 from collections held in Morrisons, as part of a countrywide fundraiser. Over the four days they raised £2,286 – and even gained a new member!

“One lady joined from seeing us at Morrisions,” said Mrs Ashton, “That event wasn’t just about the money, it was about the chats we had with people, and the counselling we gave some people, it was nice to talk – it felt like it was about much more than just the money.”

The committee are incredibly grateful of the support they receive from the Heywood community, Mrs Atkins said: “The people of Heywood are so very generous.”

One committee member has been involved for 30 years and was invited to a garden party at Buckingham Palace to recognise her valuable work.

The ladies are able to see what some of the money they have raised has gone towards on their annual visit to The Christie, the ladies described this as “interesting” and “helpful” because they are able to see what is happening.

Speaking about membership Mrs Atkins said: “If someone wants to join we accept with open arms, we could do with a few younger members with new and fresh ideas – we are always recruiting.

“It is rather sad that more Heywood people aren’t involved.”

The committee are in the process of putting together a recipe book which they hope will raise some more funds. They are appealing to people to send in their recipes for the book. Anyone who is interested in getting involved can email Lesley Sutton on Lesleyrainssutton@tiscali.co.uk

The next event held by the Heywood Committee of Cancer Research UK is a Band Concert featuring the Wardle Anderson Band and the Rochdale Girls Choir which will be held at St Vincent's R.C. Church, Caldershaw Road, Norden, Rochdale on 27 November 2010 at 7.30. Tickets are £7.50 contact: 01706 360395 

To find out about more community groups in Heywood visit:

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/community/groups/heywood