Ilse and Bob Splaine have regretfully decided to retire from the fayres as they were having to travel further and further to source the strawberries.


But that's only after the couple handed over a cheque for £4,112 to The Christie's men's cancer fund, the Manchester Million Appeal, following a year-long series of fundraising activities – from tombolas at summer fairs to mulled wine tasting at Christmas time.


A former Christie patient Ilse, 73, puts her zest for fundraising down to being given a second chance of life nearly 20 years ago.
Back in the late 1980s Ilse was given just two months to live following surgery for advanced cancer of the abdomen and ovaries.

Bob asked for a second opinion and Ilse was referred to The Christie, where she underwent a course of chemotherapy.


Every year for 16 years, Ilse and Bob organised a tremendously popular annual strawberry fayre at their home in Cumberland Road.
Helped


Ilse said: "I'm really happy to be able to support such a worthwhile cause and I'm very grateful to everyone who has helped us along the way.
"Thanks also to Atherton Rotary Club, where Bob is president, for their donation of £300."


Christie's regional appeals officer Jacky Plant added: "Ilse and Bob Splaine have shown tremendous support for The Christie for many years now, and we're really grateful for their fantastic enthusiasm and dedication.
"We're sorry that the strawberry fayres are no more – they were always so popular – but we know that Ilse and Bob will carry on raising money for us in other ways."