A MAMMOTH fundraising effort inspired by a little girl with leukaemia proved just the ticket this week... Staff at an old people's home in Bolton helped raise more than £1,100 for research into the blood disease by holding a Christmas raffle. And the fundraising organiser, Jacqueline Rushton, told the BEN: "We have only just begun."

Staff at Alderbank Elderly People's Home in Kearsley were moved into action when they heard of the plight of 18-month old Elizabeth Morris.

The toddler - whose parents, Janet and Jeremy, live at Hollow Meadow, Ringley - was diagnosed as suffering from leukaemia little more than a month ago and has been undergoing treatment at the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital since.

Elizabeth's grandmother, Sandra Rimmer, works at Alderbank and when her colleagues heard what was happening, they decided to do something positive to help. As a result they started the Elizabeth Morris Leukaemia Research Appeal, a registered charity aimed at raising funds into further research.

Members of staff each donated £5 to buy a raffle prize of a television set, and the fundraiser was also boosted by donations from Thorntons and Julie's Florist.

About 2,000 raffle tickets were sold, and earlier this week prizes awarded included the television, two Christmas hampers, a flower arrangement, wine and a big box of chocolates.

Jacqueline said: "We are delighted with the response.

"It's the first time I have ever organised anything like this before and never thought we would raise so much.

"The Elizabeth Morris Leukaemia Research Appeal is a registered charity. The register will last 12 months, so we intend to organise other events throughout that time, to raise as much as possible."

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