I’m honouring the memory of my parents by raising awareness for Blood Cancer UK
A South Shields pub is hosting a charity evening for Blood Cancer UK.
The manageress of The Britannia pub is hosting a charity night in memory of her parents after they both passed away from blood cancer.
Sue Stephenson is hosting the event at the Charlotte Street pub on Saturday, May 30, as she looks to raise funds and awareness for Blood Cancer UK.
The 43-year-old lost her mam, Winnie Stephenson, in November due to myelofibrosis - a rare type of blood cancer that can develop into Acute Myeloid Leukaemia which her dad, Tony Stephenson, passed away from in 2017.
‘I want to honour them’
Speaking about the event, Sue said: “I needed to focus on something after my mam passed so it made complete sense to do the charity night for Blood Cancer UK, especially as it was a shock that my mam and dad technically had the same cancer.
“My mam was diagnosed a day before my dad’s funeral so it was a tumultuous time but my dad was only diagnosed nine days before he died so the way I look at it, I’ve had my mam a lot longer than what I should have done.
“I just want to honour them as they were the world to me and the best way I can do that is by showing that Blood Cancer UK is there to help people.
“My parents provided a life that was surrounded by love and they would do anything for anybody - they were so genuine and helpful.”
A fun night
Sue has also given an insight into what people can expect from the charity night, which has already been boosted by donations.
She added: “I can’t thank Chris, who is my boss, enough for allowing me to host this charity night.
“The support I’ve had from customers and donations has been unreal - we’ve already raised £550 and that is without the night taking place.
“We’ve got a DJ, we’ll be hosting bingo as my mam loved bingo, there will be a raffle which includes a jacket from the Barbour Foundation, and more - it is just going to be a fun night.
“Everyone is getting behind and it isn’t about donating loads of money, it is about bringing awareness to Blood Cancer UK.”
Full details of the charity night can be found at: https://www.facebook.com/BritanniaSouthShields/.