Local woman helps give Melksham Cancer Research 10k boost

THE Melksham branch of Cancer Research UK has had a huge boost after the efforts of one local woman helped raise nearly £10,000. 

Rachel Hogg from Broughton Gifford has raised the huge amount by donating all proceeds from the Dirty Boots Festival in Broughton Gifford and by completing a skydive.

Rachel organised the first ever Dirty Boots Festival which took place in August and attracted hundreds of revellers to the village to enjoy live entertainment and music. Everything raised on the day went to Cancer Research UK Melksham Branch with £5,697.59 made from the festival.  Prior to the festival Rachel also completed a skydive with an estimated £4,000 raised from that to take her fundraising total for Cancer Research close to £10,000.

Rachel said, “I decided to put the festival on in January and people thought I was mad trying to get it ready for August this year but I am glad I did, as it was a huge success. Already I am thinking about next year and how it can be improved and hopefully raise even more money for a fantastic charity.

“We were able to raise so much from the festival as we had such great support from the community and from local businesses. This meant that everything we made from ticket sales was able to go to Cancer Research. I am extremely grateful for everybody’s generosity.

“The skydive took place before and I don’t have an exact figure but the amount raised, along with the festival, means it is around the £10,000 mark which is amazing. I didn’t have a target amount, I just wanted to do as much as I can but I am really pleased.”

Maria Gomez the Cancer Research local fundraising manager was delighted with Rachel’s efforts and said, “As a charity we don’t receive any government funding so we are totally reliant on fundraising and donations. What Rachel has received is fantastic and people like her are the lifeblood of the organisation and it means we can continue to fight something which affects so many of us.

“I would like to express my thanks to Rachel for all her hard work, words can’t describe how much we appreciate it.”

The amount raised from the Dirty Boots Festival and skydive now means the Melksham branch have raised around £17,000 since February this year. This is far eclipsing the £8,000 that Melksham branch chair, Marie Bucknell-Smith, had hoped to raise in the first year.

The group also recently raised £231.54 from a collection at Leekes. Upcoming fundraising events include the Autumn Party Night at Shaw Country Hotel on Saturday 12th October from 7.00pm. Tickets are still available and priced at £20. Call 01225 702836/790321 or email melksham.cruk@yahoo.com for details.