WHEN it came to celebrating 50 years of wedded bliss Judith and Sam Leigh knew they wanted to do something different.

For some, only a luxury world cruise or lavish party would do. But the kind-hearted couple spurned the fancier options for marking their golden wedding.

After reading about the Marie Curie Nurses Appeal in The Bolton News, the couple decided there was no better way to celebrate than by raising plenty of money for such a good cause.

They even asked family and friends to donate to the appeal instead of buying them presents.

Mrs Leigh, aged 69, said: “We decided a while ago that we didn’t want presents, we don’t need anything, and that we’d like donations. We didn’t know what for though, then I saw the articles in The Bolton News and thought it would be a nice idea to help Marie Curie.”

The Bolton News is backing Marie Curie Cancer Care in its bid to raise £200,000 in Bolton over the next year so it can provide more care to terminally ill people in the town.

Mr and Mrs Leigh, of Bowness Road, Little Lever, celebrated 50 years of marriage on July 11 and marked the occasion with a special mass and blessing at St Teresa’s RC Church, in Redcar Road, in the village.

This was followed by a party for family and friends at their home.

By asking for donations instead of presents, the couple have raised more than £250.

Mrs Leigh said: “It’s good to do something good for somebody and Marie Curie is a cause that’s local and for ordinary people.”

The couple met on a blind date in 1956 and were married at St Edmund’s Church, Little Hulton, where they lived.

They settled in Little Lever in 1962 and went on to have four daughters. They now have nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Mr Leigh, aged 71, was a pipe fitter and welder, and ran his own business. Mrs Leigh was a shop assistant.

The couple will be sending a cheque for £253 to the appeal.

Hannah Taylor, community fundraiser for Marie Curie, said: “It was extremely generous of them and a really selfless act to think of someone else on their day of celebration.

“We would like to thank them both, and their family and friends for all their donations.”

Anyone wanting to make a donation should send cheques, made payable to Marie Curie Cancer Care, to Hannah Taylor, Marie Curie Cancer Care, Bolton Nursing Appeal, Unit 1, Jones Court, Jones Square, Stockport SK1 4LJ.

You can also donate online at mariecurie.org.uk/ supportus/waystodonate.

cherry.thomas@ theboltonnews.co.uk