A CREATIVE duo have turned their attentions to an ambitious target — raising £20,000 in 12 months for cancer hospital The Christie.

Kerry Lyons, a 38-year-old nurse from Helmshore, and Kelly Dooley, a 33-year-old wedding organiser from Farnworth, have been selling quirky hand-painted bags for the cause since September.

Now they have launched a fundraising mission and are staging charity events in Bury this month.

Kelly and Kerry are hosting a family fun day in the Mill Gate shopping centre in Bury from 9am to 5pm on Saturday, March 15, before 28 people take part in an abseil down Peel Tower the following day.

Kerry said: “We want to donate £10,000 to pancreatic cancer treatments and research at The Christie and a further £10,000 to patients of all cancers.

“We have common ground because we have both lost family members to cancer so we decided we would come together and have a go.”

The friends sell their hand-decorated ‘Lily’s Bags for Christies’ for £13 and upwards from Kelly’s shop Kellibrations in Market Street, Farnworth or online at kellibrations.net.

Every penny goes straight to The Christie and the girls say their bags have been bought as gifts for women across the globe, and they can also be made to order.

Kerry draws the designs on the bags, then Kelly paints them before her friend adds finishing touches.

Kerry added: “We did set ourselves a big challenge — but if we can gather a couple of pounds from everyone they will quickly add up into thousands.”

The Christie is the largest cancer centre in Europe and treats more than 40,000 patients each year. A glittering black-tie ball will be held at the Albert Hall in Victoria Square, Bolton, on September 26. Raffle and auction prizes are sought, and tickets can be purchased from Kellibrations.