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COMMITTEE MEMBER TO RETIRE AFTER 42 YEARS ; OVER HALF A MILLION RAISED FOR MACMILLAN
A prolific fundraiser who ’ s helped to raise over half a million pounds for Macmillan Cancer Support through her work on a charity committee has announced her retirement after 42 years of service - with her daughter set to take over the reins .
77 year old Barbara Delph , from the Wirral , has held various roles on Macmillan ’ s Hoylake Committee since joining in 1979 .
After being founded in the early 70s by local advocate Lady Eleanor Harper in support of family members diagnosed with cancer , the committee has fundraised through a raft of events including fetes , ladies ’ lunches and golf days at the Royal Liverpool Golf Club .
And thanks to Barbara ’ s efforts , including a recent donation of £ 100,000 which she helped to secure from an anonymous donor , the committee has raised well over £ 500,000 for Macmillan over four decades .
But even though she ’ s stepping down to focus on life at home , Barbara – a retired solicitor - knows the committee ’ s future is in the safe hands of her daughter Julie Leigh , 51 , who will take on her mum ’ s former role as treasurer .
“ I joined the committee in 1979 after my mum passed away from cancer when I was only 18 ,” said Barbara .
“ At that time , the facilities weren ’ t in place to provide the type of care that ’ s now available to patients . Over the last forty years there has been so much positive change . The care that ’ s available now is amazing and I ’ m happy to have played a part in raising so much money for a brilliant charity like Macmillan . I ’ ve got a lot out of it . I ’ ve made a lot of friends for life and really enjoyed the social element . The last year has been tough because of coronavirus . We ’ ve had to cancel events but luckily people have been generous meaning we ’ ve still managed to raise money despite everything that ’ s been going on .
“ My daughter Julie has got lots of ideas about virtual fundraisers and I ’ d like to see lots of younger people getting involved , which would be fantastic . But I ’ ve still offered to shake a bucket in the supermarket if she ever needs me !”
Nicole McIlveen , Senior Fundraising Manager at Macmillan , said : “ Barbara ’ s service to the Hoylake Committee has been outstanding . On behalf of Macmillan , I ’ d like to thank Barbara for her hard work and dedication over the last 42 years and wish her a happy retirement .
“ The amount the committee has raised – particularly when donations are down because of Covid - really highlights why groups like these are so important to Macmillan . I ’ d like to encourage anyone who has thought about volunteering or fundraising for Macmillan to look into joining committees like Hoylake , they really do make a huge difference .”
Macmillan ’ s support line is open seven days a week on 0808 808 00 00 from 8am to 8pm . Specially trained nurses , counsellors and financial support advisors are available to help anyone affected by , or worried about , cancer .
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