DEDICATED volunteers are celebrating a special milestone.
A team of residents in Wilmslow, Handforth and Alderley Edge has raised more than £140,000 for Marie Curie in the past 10 years.
To mark the occasion, former chairman Polly Keen and husband Bob hosted a coffee morning at their home.
Neighbours and friends helped them to raise £358.
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Starbucks in Wilmslow provided all the coffee for the event.
Retired social worker Polly, 76, was inspired to support the charity by her late mum, Helen Pritchett.
Mum-of-two Polly, from Handforth, said: “My mum was a Marie Curie night nurse when I was a child.
“I remember she would go off on her bike early in the evening and come back in the morning.”
Polly became the group’s first chairman after her mum died 10 years ago and continues to help with bucket collections.
Husband Bob, 80, also supports the fundraising ventures, wearing the infamous big yellow hat, The retired bank manager said: “There are a lot of people out there who are extremely grateful for what Marie Curie did for their loved ones.
“They come in and give them respite in their own homes, letting them have a good night’s sleep.
"The need for such support is always there but it can only be provided with the generosity of the public."
A Marie Curie nurse will look after a terminally ill person in their home for a nine-hour overnight shift so that family members can get some rest from their caring role.
Polly said: “We urgently need more supporters and collectors.
“If people can give just a couple of hours it would be much appreciated.”
Fundraisers wish to say a special thank you to all the local businesses which have helped them over the past decade.
Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, Santander, Superdrug and Starbucks in Wilmslow are among the many companies which have provided donations and support.
Anyone wishing to become a Marie Curie collector can call the area fundraising office on 0151 801 1416.
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