A pizza the action
Jan 18 2007 By Chloe Griffiths, The Journal
Fundraising for The Journal's Josie Grove leukaemia fund will be a family affair for the De Giorgi clan.
Siblings Cristina, Joseph and Aldo all work together running the family business, but they are taking on a new challenge to raise money in honour of the brave youngster, who has decided to forego any further treatment for terminal cancer to spend more time with her family.
The trio, who all live in Jesmond, Newcastle, run Gusto UK - the company behind the fashionable restaurants Secco and Paradiso.
And the Italian siblings, who have made a corner of Pilgrim Street their own, have now committed to take each other on in aid of the charity appeal.
They have vowed to do a sponsored swim at Jesmond Pool in recognition of 16-year-old Josie's bravery.
Cristina, 40, said: "Me and my two brothers all have children, so Josie's bravery really struck us.
"I don't think anyone is lucky enough not to have family or friends who have been touched by cancer.
"To see someone so young who has made the decision to go for quality of life, however short it may be, over treatment, shows a lot of courage.
"And we just wanted to do something to applaud her." The siblings are committed to complete 250 lengths between them - clocking up more than a mile in the pool each.
And they have vowed it will not be at a leisurely pace.
The three are all now in training for the swim and say sibling rivalry will ensure there is a competitive edge to the sponsored event.
The De Giorgi family ran one of the city's earliest Italian restaurants, Don Vito's, before replacing it with Popolo nearly five years ago. With three venues under their belt, the trio are now looking at going back to their roots by opening an Italian restaurant in the up-and-coming Ouseburn area of the city.
They decided to embark on the fundraising effort after being inspired by Josie's bravery.
The budding artist and champion swimmer, of Princes Street, Corbridge in Northumberland, was diagnosed with leukaemia two years ago, but after two unsuccessful bone marrow transplants - including one from her baby brother Charlie - has decided to stop treatment to enjoy her remaining time. She received a Brave Heart Award for her courageous spirit.
