Bradford's brave Lord Mayor Councillor Harry Mason is back on his feet and ready for action as he issues a clarion call for residents to get behind the re-launch of his appeal.

In May this year, Coun Mason urged people across the district to play their part in bringing a £5.2 million Marie Curie Cancer Centre to the heart of Bradford.

He chose the charity after his own family suffered the devastating effects of cancer. He lost his elder brother, mother and first wife to the disease in less than two years, leaving him with two small children to bring up.

But within two months of being made Lord Mayor, the 73-year-old Queensbury ward councillor himself became ill. At the end of June he was admitted to Bradford Royal Infirmary with serious breathing difficulties.

Now the courageous First Citizen has battled back and is determined to make every effort on behalf of his cause. He has renewed his plea to the people of Bradford to get behind him one hundred per cent and make the last six months of the appeal a success.

Coun Mason said: "I feel that, due to my illness and the fact that I was out of action for some time, the appeal has been foundering a little bit.

"As we're approaching the half-way stage, now's the time that we need to be re-launching and pushing forward this appeal, calling for people's support once again.

"We really appreciate all the support we've had already, but we want to give it a strong push now and for the next six months.

"Cancer is something which can effect everyone and we'd like to appeal to the entire community, no matter what race, creed or religion, to pull together to support the appeal as much as possible."

The total amount raised by the appeal now stands at slightly more than £12,000, but Coun Mason wants to make every effort to double that amount and more over the next six months.

Anyone who wants to help the appeal or needs advice on running an event should contact the Lord Mayor's Appeal office on Bradford 754965.

Tickets for the Lord Mayor's Appeal grand draw raffle are now available from the Appeal office.

Donations of quality clothing are also needed for a Fabulous Toffs New to You Sale, to be held at City Hall on November 4 and 5. All donations should be taken to the Appeals office on or before Monday, November 1.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.