Fundraiser’s efforts are just champion
PREVIOUS Pride of Hartlepool winner Stephen Picton has put forward a man he believes is the perfect person to take his crown this year.
The 40-year-old cabbie was honoured at last year’s ceremony for his incredible charity work which saw him named Fundraiser of the Year.
Now he has nominated fellow charity champion Tony Larkin who spearheaded a drive to raise more than £80,000 for vital hospital equipment and also raise awareness of bowel cancer after he was diagnosed with it.
Tony, the married 46-year-old dad-of-two, from the Hart Lane area of Hartlepool, vowed to raise funds as a thank-you to hospital staff who helped him through a gruelling 12 months of treatment and bouts of chemotherapy.
That was achieved through a number of fundraisers including the auctioning of musical memorabilia and musical nights.
The specialist machine has now been ordered and is expected to be installed at the University Hospital of North Tees later this month.
Stephen, who himself was named Fundraiser of the Year at an emotional awards ceremony, today told the Hartlepool Mail: “Tony overcame bowel cancer and set himself a goal of raising over £80,000 for a endorectal ultrasound machine for the University Hospital of North Tees.
“This is a top of the range machine that detects bowel cancer at the earliest of rates and in some cases can even operate to remove certain cancers.
“This man did not stop stopped giving 100 per cent until he got the machine. I really think he deserves to win the fundraiser or the year award.
“God bless you Tony you’ve done us all proud.”
The Pride of Hartlepool Awards are aimed at celebarting and rewarding those unsung heroes who go the extra mile to transform the lives of others and make a huge difference to their local community.
The main event sponsor is leading waste management company Niramax which is backing the awards for the second year running and the presentation ceremony will be hosted by awards partner sponsor Hartlepool College of Further Education.
TFM Radio, Northumbrian Water, Gus Robinson Developments, Huntsman, EDF and Vela which takes in Tristar Homes and Housing Hartlepool, are also all backing the annual event.
There are 12 categories covering every aspect of community life in Hartlepool and neighbouring areas.
Nomination forms can be downloaded from.hartlepoolmail.co.uk or picked up from the Mail’s reception, in Wesley Square, Hartlepool, the information kiosk in Middleton Grange Shopping Centre and the main reception areas of Hartlepool College of Further Education and Hartlepool Sixth Form College.
Anyone wanting more information about the awards should contact the Mail’s head of news, Paul Watson, on (01429) 239361 or at paul.watson@northeast-press.co.uk.
The closing date for nominations is Monday February 13.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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