By Loughborough Echo | Posted 26 February, 2016
A LOCAL support group has raised a staggering £92,000 over the last 30 years for LOROS, which helps patients and families affected by cancer.
Shepshed LOROS Support Group has been around as long as the charity and has run hundreds of cake stalls, bingo nights and even seen its members sacrifice their birthday presents for donations.
Last weekend, they presented the hospice with a cheque for £5,000 for last year’s fund-raising efforts at the Shepshed Bowls Club.
June Lee, aged 80, who is renowned for cooking up a delicious mince pie, has been a member for the last 18 years.
She told the Echo: “We have three bingo nights a year, three cake stalls, suppers and this year we will be having a fashion show on June 19. We also do supermarket bag packs.
“It is incredible really – how much we have made. Last year was my diamond wedding anniversary and I said ‘I don’t want any presents, I have a house full of stuff already, and if anyone wants to donate then they can give it to LOROS', which raised £575.
“We have been to the hospice several times and it is a marvellous place for anyone who is at the end of their days. In 2001, a member of my family died of cancer there and he was treated wonderfully.
“My sister stayed there for the three weeks he was ill and she was offered her own room.
“We want to give a little back. We have a lot of loyal people in Shepshed that support us all year round.
“Will power keeps me going – it beats sitting at home twiddling my thumbs.”
Kathleen Perkins, aged 86, is one of the founding members of the group and she is also the treasurer.
She told the Echo: “We started as a small group and raised about £500 in the first year, which was really good.
“When my husband died, we raised money for LOROS and for my golden wedding anniversary, the money went to LOROS as well.”
