Inspirational King's Lynn woman has a birthday gift for Macmillan

Freebridge Waterside resident Dorothy Beales celebrated her 80th birthday by raising £200 for Macmillan Cancer Support – a charity that is close to her heart.

We have featured the inspirational North Lynn lady in these pages previously, after she hosted a coffee morning to raise money for the same charity last year.

Her story is linked to her own battle with cancer, for which she continues to receive treatment.

Dorothy asked that the 40-plus people who attended her birthday bash donate some money to Macmillan rather than spend that money on a gift.

She told us: “I told people that I didn’t want anything for myself this year, I just asked them to give some money.

“It was fantastic, everyone really seemed to enjoy it.

“When I first got diagnosed with this condition I said that I wanted to make sure that I got through to my 80th birthday, now I am thinking that I want to get all the way to my 90th.”

She added: “Macmillan nurses are all lovely people. They were there offering me support before the doctor even gave me the diagnosis.

“I can call them any time, night or day. I try not to bother them, but they tell me that is what they are there for.”

Dorothy already has plans to continue raising further funds for Macmillan, starting with sales of home-made products.

With the support of her friends and family, she has become an inspiration to her friends and neighbours.

The World’s Biggest Coffee Morning for Macmillan Cancer Support – when Dorothy raised £124.09 for the cause last year – is coming up in September.

If you want to get your friends and family together in aid of Macmillan, visit their website www.macmillan.co.uk to find out more.

- We are always looking to hear your fundraising stories, so please call the newsdesk on 01553 817312 so we can share your inspirational tales with our readers.