Bill puts beef into appeal

Feb 24 2007 By Chloe Griffiths, The Journal

Farm manager Bill Wannop has taken fundraising for the Josie Grove Leukaemia Fund by the horns.

Mr Wannop, who runs the 700-acre Ravensworth estate near Team Valley in Gateshead owned by farmer William Snowdon Oates, was inspired by the courageous youngster to back The Journal's fundraising effort.

And he decided to use one of the biggest events of the farming calendar to do so.

With the help of his friend Geoff Pledger, a plumber, Mr Wannop took four of the estate's prize bulls to the Perth Bull Show - one of the most high-profile events in the farming world.

The pair were celebrating after one of the animals scooped the title of reserve champion in the senior class - the second highest accolade available at the show.

The duo decided the only thing to do with the reward for their hard work was to donate it to the Josie Grove fund.

Mr Wannop said: "It is a great privilege to go to the Perth show and to work alongside some of the best people in the industry.

"To win the reserve champion is a great accolade, although it is incredibly hard work - it takes very long days and lots of effort.

"But that effort just pales into insignificance when you read Josie's story.

"She is so incredibly brave and amazingly upbeat.

"You simply have to admire her, and for that reason we decided we would like to donate the winnings to her fund."

The pair's £60 winnings were also boosted by Mr Snowdon Oates, who said he would round the donation up to £100. Mr Wannop said: "I read The Journal all the time and have been following Josie's story from day one. I just think she is an inspiration.

"I had it in my mind all along, that if we did make any money we should give it to her - I couldn't think of a better place for it."

On Thursday, Josie, 16, of Princes Street in Corbridge, Northumberland, handed £10,000 to the Northern Institute for Cancer Research. The fund was launched in honour of Josie, a former pupil of Queen Elizabeth High School, Hexham, who decided to forego any further treatment for leukaemia.