Friends offer hope to cancer sufferers

Louise French, of Bingley, who is a managing director of a Leeds PR firm, Kirstyn Pollard and Lucy Meredith, both of Harrogate, Eleanor Richardson, of Masham, and Eleanor Kernighan, of Harrogate, have set up The Hope Trust.

Money raised will benefit local cancer patients with ten per cent of cash going to the Oncology Research Trust Fund and the Haematology, Oncology Day Unit Trust Fund both at Airedale General Hospital near Steeton.

The rest will be given to the national charity, The Eve Appeal, which funds research into the early detection, prevention and treatment of ovarian cancer.

The long-time friends, who are all successful businesswomen, set up the trust after Kirstyn Pollard's mother, Marilyn Pollard of Giggleswick, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

She said: "Last year I was devastated to learn that my mother had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

"Unfortunately it was in advanced stages because she, as with the majority of women, was not aware of the symptoms that are often mistaken for non fatal illnesses such as irritable bowel syndrome. We cannot help to cure her but we can help to educate others and support research and treatment expertise."

Ovarian cancer kills more women than cervical and uterine cancer combined but symptoms are hard to spot and there is no screening method.

When it is detected in its advanced stages about 85 per cent of women will die but with early detection up to 95 per cent can survive.

A ball will be the first of a series of fundraising events and will take place on April 21 in the grounds of Rudding Park in Harrogate.

Sponsors include law firm Gordons LLP, apartment developer Life Homes and mechanical, electrical and air conditioning engineers, Robinsons. Support has also been received from HSBC.

For further information about booking tickets, sponsorship opportunities and donating prizes for The Hope Ball or simply to make a donation to The Hope Trust call 0113 3931011 or visit its website.