Saturday, 29 August 2009 A FUND set up in March in honour of cancer victim Martin Pears has already exceeded its initial 15,000 target.
And there are other charity events imminent including a Bank Holiday Three Lakes challenge and an English Channel swim. The family of the 23-year-old, who died in November, are delighted the fund has already exceeded the 15,000 needed for Mr Pears to have his own engraved leaf added to the Tree of Hope in the memorial garden next to the Young Oncology Unit at the Christie hospital in Manchester. Steve Anderson, community fund-raising officer for the Christie appeals office, said it was a fantastic amount of money to raise in a short time. He added: It is a tribute to Martin and his family and friends and the generosity of the community in this area. Mr Pears mum, Kay Pears, thanked all those who had helped raise the money and were continuing to undertake challenges.
She said: The sums being raised, the efforts made and challenges faced in Martins memory are heart-warming.