A WENSLEYDALE couple who organised a black tie event for a cancer charity last year are to repeat the event and have formed their own fundraising group.

Julie and Andrew Moffitt, of Bellerby, near Leyburn, are to repeat last year’s successful Beating Blood Cancers Ball. The event, organised with friends, raised £19,500, for Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research.

Now their efforts have been so successful they have set up their own group – the Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research Wensleydale Fundraising Group.

Mrs Moffitt was inspired to fundraise by listening to Calendar Girl Angela Baker while accompanying her husband, Andrew, who was being treated for nonHodgkin’s lymphoma following his diagnosis in May 2011.

Mrs Moffitt said: “We found we were accepting cheques for other branches of the charity so we thought that Wensleydale deserved some credit so we have formed our own branch. So far we have raised £2,300.

“It isn’t just for fundraising – we are there for anyone with leukaemia or lymphoma or a friend or relative. We would love to hear from anyone who needs our support.”

The group does not have regular meetings but has a number of future events organised.

Philippa Kitchingman, a member of the group, is to run ten kilometres in Abersoch in June, a 17- mile walk is planned for September and there will be a coast-to-coast bike ride by the Round Table as the group is their chosen charity.

The Beating Blood Cancers Ball is on Friday, May 17. For more information about the group, or to buy tickets, contact Mrs Moffatt on 07922 293339.