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Feb 2024

Last Updated: 06/02/2024

Fundraiser launched for former Harrogate BID director with terminal cancer

by Lauren Ryan

| 06 Feb, 2024

christine-with-children-and-grandchildren

Christine with her children and grandchildren

An open coffee, fizz and cake afternoon is being held in Burton Leonard this weekend in support of a resident with terminal bone cancer.

The family of Christine Armstrong, 62, are fundraising for the Bone Cancer Research Trust after she was diagnosed with the illness.

Christine recovered from breast cancer only to be told in December 2022 she had bone cancer and that it was terminal. It has now spread throughout her body and into her brain.

Ms Armstrong is a prominent figure around Harrogate and Knaresborough: she started The Met Club which she eventually sold and also ran the Harrogate BID and later the Wakefield BID.

She now lives with her son, daughter-in-law and two of her grandchildren in Burton Leonard.

Ms Armstrong’s daughter-in-law, Katie Heptonstall said:

“Christine has spent a year fighting and going through so much both physically and mentally but throughout it all has remained incredibly positive and happy to be around.

“Despite all that she is going through, she never moans or complains about their noise levels and instead lets them snuggle up with her in bed and still tries to help look after them.”

Family friend Bethan Pritchard signed up to do the London Marathon in April to raise money to fight bone cancer following Christine’s diagnosis.

Last year Ms Pritchard ran 12 marathons in 12 months, raising almost £27,000 for Tommy’s Baby Charity and Ryedale Special Families Charity.

Ms Pritchard said on the JustGiving page dedicated to Ms Armstrong:

"Christine is fighting hard and still manages to smile despite everything so I feel the least I can do is put my trainers on and run some miles for an extremely deserving cause."

Her target is £2,000 for the Bone Cancer Research Trust but Ms Armstrong’s family want to help her raise as much as possible.

Her family are holding the coffee, fizz and cake afternoon this Saturday February 10 from 1.30-3.30pm at Burton Leonard Village Hall to kickstart the fundraising.

Katie Heptonstall added:

“We have been overwhelmed with the level of support, so many people have messaged to contribute or support the event which means so much to us as a family.”

To donate to the cause click here.

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