Stokesley School student named as top cancer fundraiser

A Stokesley teenager has become one of Cancer Research UK’s top national fundraisers.

Rebecca Webster, a Stokesley School student, and her family have been named in the charity’s top 3% of national fundraisers thanks to their continued efforts.

Rebecca, who started raising money for the charity after losing her Mum to cancer just last year, is now planning a music festival to bolster funds. ‘Linda Lives on Live’ takes place at Stokesley School next Wednesday, March 23^rd, and Rebecca hopes to raise hundreds more pounds for Cancer Research UK.

The festival will feature musicians from Stokesley School, the school’s sixth form orchestra and local bands including Tie Dye Black and The Rivets.

Seventeen-year-old Rebecca, who herself battled cancer as a toddler, lost her Mum to cancer last year and, since then, has raised over £2,700 for Cancer Research UK through cake sales at school and the sale of greetings cards handmade by her Mum as well as donations from family and friends.

Speaking about being a top UK fundraiser, Rebecca, who lives in Hutton Rudby, said: “I am incredibly excited for Linda Lives on Live. To be able to help Cancer Research UK in such a big way is the perfect testament to my mum’s life and memory. Since I was little, mum started raising money for cancer related charities as I myself was diagnosed with cancer, just before I turned two.

“She did so much to support fundraising and always believed there was a cure out there that some day would be found. Since she passed away, we knew we had to continue her efforts so she really could, in many ways, live on. I wanted to do something big to commemorate what a brave and inspirational lady she was and always will be. That’s how the idea for Linda Lives on Live was born.”

Catherine Brooker, headteacher of Stokesley School, said: “Recognition of Rebecca’s efforts in this way is wonderful and we are full of admiration for her commitment and hard work. She is an inspiring role model for other students here, not least as she is such a modest, thoughtful and self-effacing young woman. Her music festival is shaping up to be a memorable event and not only for our school community – we are looking forward to welcoming the musicians’ fans as well as Cancer Research supporters too.”

Janet Leafe, Cancer Research UK’s local fundraising manager for Stokesley, said: “We are absolutely delighted that Rebecca and Stokesley School have decided to organise this fabulous event to raise money for Cancer Research UK. They have being doing lots of preparation and we’re sure the audience is going to enjoy the event.  We can’t thank them enough for all their support and want to wish them all the very best for the concert.

“Cancer Research UK has made enormous progress in the fight against cancer and continues to do so. However, we have only been able to do this thanks to the dedication and commitment of our volunteers and supporters without whom we would not be able to fund our vital research”.

Linda Lives on Live takes place on Wednesday 23^rd March from 6.30-9pm. Members of the public are invited to attend. Tickets can be bought in advance or on the night and are £10, including food provided by talented local chef Shaun Wilkinson.

For more information contact Jayne Neal, business manager, at Stokesley School on 01642 710050.

Full details can be found at http://www.stokesleyschool.org/events

To make a donation to Cancer Research visit https://www.justgiving.com/richardwebster1964

ENDS