THE star, Astley's Seanie Williams could not be present.

But in true theatre tradition the show still went on at Manchester's world famous cancer centre at the Christie Hospital.

Representatives from amateur groups in the area gathered to present institute specialist Prof Tony Howell with a cheque for £3,500 - the profit from a combined one night show at Manchester's Palace Theatre last October.

A similar production in 1997 raised £7,500, taking the group's contribution to a total of £11,000 for his Breast Cancer Research Clinic fund.

The performers were led by Mike Salmmon who was standing in for Seanie, a breast cancer patient 13 years ago, who is having further treatment after the disease returned with a vengeance three years ago attacking her bowel, lungs and liver.

For eight years Seanie, 54, of Tintern Avenue, has been organising charity peformances given by local societies - raising over £40,000 for worthy causes.

Despite her illness she and colleagues from theatre groups in South Trafford, Romiley, Prestwich, Whitefield, All Saints (Eccles), Farnworth and Sale are planning a further show at the Palace in November, primarily for Wish You Were Here, the charity that makes dreams come true for terminally ill children.

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