FLEETWOOD Cancer Research Committee is celebrating 50 years of support and fund-raising for Manchester's Christie Hospital.

The committee has existed since 1952 and has raised more than £200,000 for the specialist cancer centre.

Chairman and founder member of the Fleetwood committee, Marie Pilling, explained how the group was formed: "It came about because fewer people survived the disease in those days.

"A group of us realised the only way cancer was ever going to be beaten was through research. As Christie's has always conducted research it was the obvious choice for support."

It wasn't long before the dreaded disease struck close to Marie's heart-strings as her dad, Fleetwood trawler skipper Sidney Tonner, contracted throat cancer. Marie said: "We didn't tell him he had cancer, nor did the doctors.

"The disease was so dreaded it was common not to mention the word. Dad just thought the radium treatment he'd had was for a severe sore throat. He recovered well and died some years later from a stroke."

Marie has been committee chairman for so many years that she can't remember exactly how long. She plans to carry on for the foreseeable future as she said: "Sadly, cancer is even more common than it was 50 years ago so we're still needed.

"Researchers at Christie's are among the best in the world and it's nice to think we've helped a little with some of the advances. It's due to research developments that more and more people recover and those who can't be cured are living longer."

Marie, along with the Fred Maiden, are the longest serving of the 18 committee members. Fred has been treasurer for about 40 years and remembers that the first donation was £100.

He said: "Back then it was a lot of money. In recent years we've been handing over annual cheques for £10,000 plus, so we've not done badly. The money comes in from small but regular events such as coffee mornings, tombolas, fayres, bring and buy sales etc.

"Local shops put on an occasional fashion show for us and we run our own charity shop for a few weeks every year. We're very grateful for all the support from Fleetwood people. It would be good to have a few new members though."

Praising the committee's support, Christie appeals director Angela Roden said: "It's a real privilege to work with such dedicated fund-raisers. Many of them, especially Marie and Fred, have devoted much of their spare time to Christie's for many years." Anyone who would like to help the committee should contact the appeals office on (0161) 4463988 or e-mail appeal@christies.org.