March cancer survivor Mark Cross says this year's 10th darts charity day will be the last
This year will mark then end of a decade of fundraising for cancer survivor Mark Cross, who has announced 2020 will see his last charity darts day.
Mark, who was treated for breast cancer in 2009, has held nine darts events and raised a grand total of £67,000 for the oncology department at Peterborough City Hospital.
Announcing March 7 as the date for this year’s fundraiser Mark said: “The date is set for one last time! Once again the GER Sports Club in March will be hosting my charity darts day in aid of the oncology department at Peterborough City Hospital. this will be our tenth consecutive year of hosting the event and will be the last in its current format.
“We have decided that after10 years of hosting this wonderful event, it is the right time to call it a day.I am in possession of some amazing auction lots including: a framed England football shirt signed by the legend, Jimmy Greaves;a signed by World Heavyweight Boxing champion Anthony Joshua, a boxing glove presented in an acrylic dome; a‘Hulk Hogan’ signed and framed wrestling vest; a framed Scotland football shirt signed by Denis Law; a framed Brazil football shirt signed, with the full signature of Pele; a ‘Quadrophenia display signed by the actor, Phil Daniels; a framed and signed, Steven Gerrard, Liverpool photograph; a framed and signed, Paul Gascoigne, England photograph and a double boxing glove display signed by Lennox Lewis and Mike Tyson.”
Mark explained: “The oncology department treats local people for cancer and carries out much needed research into the disease at a local level. If a friend or relative is being treated for cancer at Peterborough City Hospital, the monies raised at this event have a direct and positive impact on their treatment and care.”
Doors for this year’s event will open at 11.30am, on Saturday March 7 with draws for the competitions taking place at 1pm, with play starting shortly afterwards.
The darts events will include Cricket Triples; Pairs (darts players playing with non darts players) and singles. Players will be competing for singles, pairs and triples annual trophies.
The day will once again include a tombola and the grand auction of the above and many other items as well as a draw.
Money raised over the past nine years have purchased an ultra sound machine for the chemotherapy department; comfortable chairs to enhance the treatment of both chemotherapy and radiotherapy patients; nurses have been able to enjoy training courses that they otherwise would not have been able to attend and the department has purchased two sky ceilings for the linear accelerator bunkers.
These give patients the view of a summer sky while they are lying on their backs for prolonged periods of time. This will help keep them relaxed and calm while receiving their treatment.
The money raised has also been used to fund a radiotherapy trials radiographer so that they can improve their recruitment into radiotherapy clinical trials.
Dartboards are available for sponsorship for this year’s event at a donation of £50. If any individual or business would like to sponsor an auction prize with a donation Mark would be very grateful.
He would also be grateful of any donations of draw / auction prizes from individuals and companies alike.
Mark added: “It promises to be another great day.”
Contact Mark at: cross.mark1@sky.com or call 07790 845456.