Josie's appeal passes its £1,000 milestone

Dec 29 2006 By Liz Hands, The Journal

The Journal's Josie Grove appeal has reached an early milestone. Readers have so far donated more than £1,000 to the Josie Grove Leukaemia Fund.

Josie's story touched everyone who read it in The Journal earlier this month.

The 16-year-old, from Corbridge, Northumberland, has decided to forego further treatment for terminal cancer to enjoy the time she has left with her family.

Her remarkable courage and maturity both moved and inspired Journal readers - and they called us in droves to ask what they could do to help.

In response, The Journal launched an appeal to raise money for the Josie Grove Leukaemia Fund. Money raised will go to Josie's chosen charities to help children suffering from leukaemia. Yesterday, thanks to generous Journal readers, that appeal total stood at £1,067.

We are asking you to sponsor our columnist David Banks, who is himself in remission from leukaemia, or to raise money through a lifestyle or fitness-related event of your own.

Journal editor Brian Aitken said: "It's great that in such a short space of time, we have raised so much money.

"We hope the campaign will gain even more momentum in the New Year."

Readers who want to get involved in fundraising themselves have also been contacting us, and we now have several signed up to do sponsored slims. The appeal has even won the backing of Prime Minister Tony Blair, who said: "Josie's courage gives everyone the chance to reflect on how they, too, are going to make the most of their lives.

"It's a very worthwhile campaign and deserves widespread support."

Talented artist Josie was diagnosed with leukaemia two years ago.

But after undergoing aggressive chemotherapy and two failed bone marrow transplants, the Queen Elizabeth High School, Hexham, pupil has decided she has "had enough of hospitals".

She lives in Princes Street, Corbridge, with her parents Cliff, 46, and Jacqui, 44, both jewellery designers, and her three siblings, Freddie, 13, Libby, 11, and Charlie, eight months.

Her family says the response she has had since her story was published in The Journal has helped give her life purpose.

---------------------------------------------------------

Where do you fit in?

The Journal is urging readers to get behind our bid to raise money for Josie's fund.

There are two ways you can do your bit to help:

Anyone wishing to sponsor our columnist David Banks in his effort to shed the pounds in aid of the Josie Grove Leukaemia Fund should fill in the form here and return it to The Journal, saying how much money you are pledging.

or:

Let us know what fitness-related fundraising method you have come up with yourself to raise cash for The Josie Grove Leukaemia Fund.

We are urging our readers to come up with fundraising ideas - it could be a sponsored swim, a sponsored football match or even a sponsored bungee jump.

Please contact The Journal newsdesk with information of any events - solo or team - you have arranged to help boost the fund.

Sponsorship forms are available by email or post from The Journal.

Anyone wishing to get involved should contact the newsdesk on (0191) 201-6344 or email jnl.newdesk@ncjmedia.co.uk

You may send cheques payable to The Dove Trust (registered charity 287401) - Josie Grove Leukaemia Fund written on the back - to The Journal, PO Box 1146, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE99 1ET.

---------------------------------------------------------

Donations and people sponsoring David Banks so far...

Mr & Mrs D Lawson, West Rainton, Durham £10

Mrs P McFarlane, Blyth £5

B Wigham, Blyth £25

S Woodman, Corbridge, £5

Mr H W Thirlwell £30

Mrs M Breckons, Hexham £10

Mrs Catherine Latty, Blyth £10

Christine Glendinning, Ryton, £5

Denis Anthony Jonnings, Newton Hall, Durham £5

Mrs K J Higgins, Rowlands Gill £25

Mrs C V Thomson, Wark, Hexham, £20

Sally Avon, Ponteland, £20

Lillian Gray, Alnwick £5

Keith Proctor, Ashington £15

Ann Johnston, Haltwhistle £5

Karen Spencer, Gosforth £10

Mr & Mrs G H Tomlinson, Hexham £10

R & M J Greener, Stocksfield £10

Jennifer Smith, Lanchester, Durham, £5

Miss B Barron, Hexham £20

Raymond Walton, Lanchester, Durham £10

L McNeil, Kenton, Newcastle £10

C N O'Loughlin, Horsley £10

Mrs Wendy Watson, Whitley Bay, £20

Mrs Judith Hall, Morpeth £10

Sally Oliver, Middle Herrington, Sunderland £10

A S Scott £5

John Younger, Hexham £10

Barbara Williams, Ryton, £10

J Basey, West Allotment, Newcastle, £10

A & B Parton, Alnmouth, Alnwick £20

G N Burn, Morpeth £20

Mrs M Vigurs, Ponteland £2

A Kirkup, Stocksfield £20

S Morland £100

Chris Wood, Ouston, Durham £10

J & JE Mossman £5

J A Hindmarsh, Crook, Durham £10

J Paulucy, Seaham, Durham £10

Mrs Joan Middlemiss, South Wellfield £10

Mr E W Addis, Cramlington £20

M Griffiths, Morpeth £15

Mrs G F Campbell, Blyth £5

Jim & Jean Richardson, Pegswood, Morpeth £15

David William Burdus, Stocksfield £25

J & M Doleman £20

Gordon C Hodgson, Whanton, Morpeth £10

Norman Tindall, Warkworth £10

Mrs E Armstrong, Ovingham, Prudhoe £5

Mrs J Young £5

Mr AP & Mrs JL King £20

Mrs O Marshall, Hexham £25

Mrs V McIntosh £5

Yvonne Froldi, Prudhoe £20

Mr & Mrs Bleek £10

Mr & Mrs V G Stienlet, Gosforth £10

Roger Russell, Whitley Bay £100

Mrs S Warren £25

Miss E Hall, Morpeth £15

G & L Young £10

D V Milburn, Morpeth £10

Frank Sim £10

Steve @ Differentia Limited, Newcastle £100

Milne & Mrs ES Milne, Corbridge £15.

Total: £1,067