Couple raise thousands for charity

A generous Rotherham couple have raised thousands of pounds for Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity after hosting their fourth glittering winter ball.

Darren, 44, and Gail, 37, Baker, of Bramley, Rotherham, have organised the annual charity ball since 2006 and presented this year’s impressive donation of £20,000 to the Sheffield charity.

Over 400 guests enjoyed the sold out, glamourous event held at Sheffield United Football Club, which brought the total amount raised by the couple, who run successful Garage Door Company, JB Doors, in Parkgate Rotherham, to over £80,000.

Darren and his wife started the fundraising spectacular after his father, John Baker, who was treated at Weston Park Hospital, sadly passed away at the age of 65 following a battle with stomach cancer.

Said Darren: “We decided to arrange a fundraiser because we were so impressed with the service that my father received at Weston Park Hospital and wanted to give something back to the charity, which provides vital funding for the hospital.

“People get to have a great night while raising money for a worthwhile cause and we love being part of bringing that fun to people, it’s taken over our lives!”

This year the couple raised £45,000 in total, the other £25,000 going to another Sheffield charity, PACT (Parents Association of Children with Tumours and Leukaemia).

Catherine Newman, senior fundraiser at Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity, said: “We know how hard Darren and Gail have worked on organising the fundraising ball over the past few years. We are incredibly grateful to them both for supporting Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity and raising this wonderful amount of money.”

The Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity provides the hospital, the Cancer Information and Support Centre and the Weston Park Hospital Cancer Research Centre with vital funding to help pay for world class research treatment and care for people living with cancer.