A SELLOUT concert to remember a Diggle mum and grandmother has enabled her husband to present a cheque for more than £17,000 to an Oldham cancer support charity.
Chris Johnson died aged 57 on March 17, 2018 less than a year after being diagnosed with peritoneal carcinoma.
Helped by friend Stuart Hanson, part of Maggie’s fundraising committee and Stuart’s pal Danny Power, Chris’ husband Howard arranged a night of musical entertainment at Mossley’s George Lawton Hall on January 12.
Tickets for the poignant but uplifting night in memory of the former senior sister at North Manchester General Hospital sold out within weeks.
With support from sponsors to cover the costs, a raffle raising £2,500 and an auction that added around £9,000, Howard visited Maggie’s at the Royal Oldham Hospital to hand over a cheque for £17,579.
“As well as raising such a stunning amount we also had a wonderful evening,” said Howard, who married Chris at Holy Trinity Church, Dobcross in 1985.
“I have taken so much heart and strength from being supported by such generous people – generous with their donations and generous emotionally.
“It was a fantastic way to remember Chris. I was honoured to have been part of it but I couldn’t have done any of it without the support of Stuart and Danny.
“I know time will ease the pain but it is a clock that is ticking so slowly.
“We are all privileged that Chris was part of our lives,” added dad-of-two Howard. “I cherish the 36 years we had together.”
Music at the charity function was provided by Mossley Hollins Brass Band, Mumbo Gumbo rhythm and blues band, Paper Moon and Bright Sparks.
Chris, mum to Mark, 32, and Victoria, 30, was raised in Diggle and moved to Manchester at 18 to train as a nurse at Manchester Royal Infirmary to then specialise in renal dialysis nursing.
Howard added: “Chris knew loads of people in Saddleworth and had many friends.
“She enjoyed walking the countryside and all the local traditions, especially Whit Friday.
“We loved our holidays and tried to go somewhere different each year, though we did fall in love with Croatia in more recent years.
“The idea for the fundraiser came via Stuart and Danny who had previously organised one for Christies back in 2006 after Stuart’s wife Cath passed away.
“They felt like it was time for another and I said we should hold the event in memory of Chris,” said Howard. “
She used Maggie’s for a brief period, attending the specially tailored pilates classes at the centre.”
Laura Tomlinson, Centre Fundraising Manager for Maggie’s Oldham said: “We’re absolutely amazed at the success of this incredible event and would like to pay special thanks to Howard and his family, along with Stuart and Danny, as we know how much time and energy they all put into making this event possible.
“We know it was a moving evening for everyone who was there to share it; the amount of money raised on the night is astonishing and is testament to how treasured Christine was by all who knew her.
“The money raised will help us to help more people with cancer here at Maggie’s and words can’t express how much we appreciate this support.
“To Howard and everyone involved, thank you for doing something so amazing for Maggie’s.”
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