On target for Josie

Feb 26 2007 By Murray Kelso, The Journal

A pharmacy who teamed up to slim down in aid of The Journal's Josie Grove Leukaemia Fund have raised £1,200 for the appeal.

When they heard about our appeal to raise cash in the name of the brave 16-year-old, the five workers from Healthcare Plus on Elvaston Road in Ryton, Gateshead, decided to practice what they preached.

So instead of just telling customers about healthy eating and weight loss, they set about shedding those pounds themselves and, along with another two members in the team, arranged a target of 40lb between them.

Now four weeks later and 42lbs lighter the magnificent seven are celebrating raising the £1,200 in aid of the appeal.

Pharmacy manager Bryan Spurr, 52, from Heddon-on-the-Wall in Northumberland, said: "It was a team effort that went very well, although some found it easier then others.

"Being the only man doing the slim I had a lot of pressure on me to do well, but because I seem to have lost the most out of everyone I've managed to get a few of the girls grumbling at me. We ran a promotion in the shop at the same time as the slim and sparked interest in many of our customers.

"I'd like to think that we inspired a lot of them to do the same too, so we've done more than just raise money for the appeal." The Josie Grove appeal was set up in late December after a story on how the teenager had decided to stop all treatment after two unsuccessful bone marrow transplants so that she could spend the rest of her time at home with her family in Princes Street, Corbridge, Northumberland.

More than £15,000 has already been raised by Journal readers in a variety of fundraising events and last week Josie presented a cheque for £10,000 to the Northern Cancer Network for research.

Money raised will also be donated to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle towards its teenage cancer unit.