Generous rugby league fans dug deep into their pockets at Widnes Vikings’ Challenge Cup match against Skirlaugh on Sunday to raise more than £9,600 for one of the UK’s leading cancer hospitals.

Two of her sisters have been struck down by cancer and treated by the hospital. Her older sister Dorothy Buck, 56, received the all-clear following treatment for breast cancer five years ago. Now another sister – mother of five Carol Edwards, 46, from Runcorn – is suffering from cervical cancer.

Liesa, from Larch Road, Runcorn, decided to make a charity skydive even though she’s afraid of heights. On Sunday she was joined at the Stobart Stadium Halton by representatives of Clatterbridge who collected donations from fans.

Deborah Ferns, Clatterbridge’s Fundraising Coordinator, said: “The generosity of the rugby league fans was quite astounding.  We were overwhelmed. The club wanted to let the crowd know what the running total was during the afternoon but so much cash was coming in, we simply didn’t have time to count it all! The final total was £9,658.01 which was simply beyond our wildest dreams. We can’t thank the fans enough and Widnes Vikings for organising everything for us.”

Liesa, who makes her skydive from an airfield at Whitchurch near Chester on Saturday, March 22, said: “I was speechless when I saw how much money the fans were donating. It was quite incredible and I felt very emotional.  When I rang my sister Carol to tell her, she couldn’t believe how generous people have been. I want to thank all the fans from both Widnes and Skirlaugh - and I want to say a special thank you to the officials at Widnes Vikings who made it all possible.”

Liesa’s skydive is already set to raise well in excess of £10,000 for Clatterbridge. People wishing to donate should visit Liesa’s fundraising page at www.justgiving.com/liesa

March 10, 2008
Media Contact: Paul Smith Associates Tel: +44 (0)1420 22532

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