An annual golf day in memory of Leeds United footballing legend Norman Hunter has now raised over £170,000 to support life-saving Leukaemia research in Leeds.
On Friday 11 July, the fifth annual Norman Hunter Golf Day took place at Horsforth Golf Club, organised by his widow Sue, daughter Claire and son Michael.
The money raised supports innovative technology and groundbreaking research into Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia (CLL) at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and the University of Leeds.
Fundraising efforts led by Norman’s wife Sue were recognised at the Yorkshire Choice Awards in June, where she was presented with the Local Fundraiser of the Year Award in recognition of the golf day.
This year’s event, sponsored by Manning Stainton, raised over £32,000 which will continue to support large, internationally significant trials that will inform future Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia treatment on a global scale.
Norman’s family decided to fundraise in his memory after he died in April 2020 from COVID-19, aged 76. For seven years before his death, Norman was treated at Leeds Cancer Centre after being diagnosed with CLL, a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow.
Dr Darren Newton, Lecturer in Haematology and Immunology at the University of Leeds spoke to us about how the fundraising is helping his team find better treatments and potentially move towards a cure.
He said: “The Hunter family’s fundraising has helped us accelerate our efforts to find more personalised treatments for CLL patients and get even closer to finding a cure.
“We have seen hugely promising results with thousands of patients up and down the country taking part in clinical trials run by the University of Leeds.
“Thanks to the funds raised through these events, we have been able to expand our research around these trials and to gain more, valuable personalised insights from them.
“We cannot thank the family enough for their dedication to fundraising over the past five years, and together we are working towards our ultimate goal of finding a cure for CLL.”
Norman’s wife Sue thanks everyone for their support.
She said: “When we first came up with the idea of hosting a charity golf day, we never imagined we would be here five years later, with over £170,000 raised.
“This has only been possible thanks to everyone who has come together to support the golf day, from sponsors, to players and volunteers. I know that Norman will be looking down on us and beaming with pride at what we have achieved.
“We’re incredibly proud that we have been able to contribute to research that has the potential to transform outcomes for CLL patients, giving them more time to make precious memories with their families.”
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