Stepping out to raise charity cash

Mar 13 2008 by Audrey Barton, The Journal

FRIENDS of a teenager who fought leukaemia only to lose his life to a rare blood disorder are to use one of his favourite hobbies to raise money for fellow sufferers.

Danny Petini, 18, of Park Drive, Hepscott Park, Morpeth, died on New Year’s Day with his parents Enrico, 47, and Janet, 48, and brothers Matthew, 21, and Joseph, 14, at his bedside after battling leukaemia and a rare blood disease.

The Northumberland College sports science student had dreamt of being a model and was on the books of a North East agency. Among his hobbies were karate and boxing but he also loved dancing.

Now around 100 of his friends and fellow students are to embark on a 12-hour Danceathon to raise funds for the Teenage Cancer Trust which runs the teenage cancer unit at Newcastle’s RVI where Daniel was a patient.

The trust is raising money for a new unit at the hospital.

His father Enrico, said of the fundraising event: “We are all overwhelmed by it to be honest. Daniel’s last months were spent on the teenage cancer unit and they were fantastic.

“It is very important for teenagers to have their own unit and be among people their own age so it is a wonderful cause. Dancing was one of his loves and he used to go to Dance City in Newcastle.

“We are amazed at the number of people who want to help and we’ll be there on the day.”

The Danceathon is taking place tomorrow from 9am to 9pm at Hurst Welfare Centre, Alexandra Road, Ashington.

Daniel’s former college tutor Eileen Baron has organised the event in his memory.

“We wanted an event that everyone could be involved in with no restriction on age. Dan loved dancing and we decided we wanted to raise money for the Teenage Cancer Trust.”

For more information contact Eileen at eileen.baron@northland.ac.uk or to make a donation visit www.teenagecancertrust.org or call (0207) 612- 0370.