Since forming the Southport Committee in 1994, Pat and Peter Howard have raised an incredible £165,000 in memory of their son, also called Peter, who died from cancer.
David Robertshaw, a member of the committee told us his reasons for getting involved:
‘My elder sister Sue was married at 17 to a guy called Pete Howard. They were childhood sweethearts and they were just so right together. When Pete was in his early 20s he contracted testicular cancer and was treated at Clatterbridge, treatment that saved his life.
After receiving both chemo and radium treatment his body was a bit shot so they decided to emigrate to Brisbane, Australia where the weather was a lot kinder on his ravaged body.
Pete's father, also called Peter, was so impressed with the care that his son received that he asked if they could do anything to help; it was then decided to set up the Southport Committee. Peter didn't want the money raised to be spent on patient care but wanted all the funds raised to go towards trying to find a cure for cancer. I would attend the events that Peter and Pat organised and was always impressed by their dedication to this cause.
Four years ago it was discovered that cancer had got the better of Pete and after an initial fight he was diagnosed with terminal cancer and was placed into a palliative care hospital in Brisbane. I went across and spent some time with Pete and Sue to support them through the final weeks and was deeply moved by the lack of bitterness they both had, and for their love of each other. I decided that I would try and contribute a little more to a worthwhile cause and when I returned from Australia I approached Peter and asked could I help get involved with the fundraising effort.
The committee organise a range of very successful social events such as the Southport Big Night Out Ball held at the Floral Hall. Recently our members have upped their game and have achieved things that they would normally not have even dreamed of doing – parachute jumps, triathlons and even sending a team to the three highest peaks in Britain – Ben Nevis, Scafell and Snowdon! And if that wasn’t difficult enough, we asked them to do it within 24 hours!
One of our committees’ long term strategies involves holding an annual tennis tournament – to date we haven’t uncovered any Tim Henman’s or Andy Murray’s but it has raised substantial cash!
These activities have not only raised heaps of cash for CCR but have enabled us to feel part of this great adventure into getting rid of this nasty piece of work, Cancer.”