Feel-Good Friday: Inspirational Fundraisers
Michael and Bridget Locke are inspirational.
The devoted couple, from Newport, Wales, have been fundraising tirelessly for Cancer Research UK, since their daughter, Sally Kay, was successfully treated for cancer in the 1980s.
To show their gratitude for the charity, they pledged to raise £1 million by Michael’s 90th birthday.
Retired architect Michael said of the mission: “My youngest daughter was affected by cancer. After her final session of chemotherapy, she said, ‘I’m one of the lucky ones. I’d like to give something back. This got Bridget and I thinking…”
When he retired, aged 60, Michael focused on fundraising full-time, saying it gave him "a purpose in life".
Over the years, he and Bridget have done ‘anything and everything within the law’ to raise money, from coffee mornings and sponsored walks to supermarket collections and an annual golf day (which raised £250,00).
Michael also sold over 2,000 jars of his three-fruit homemade Marmalade, which his neighbours describe as ‘legendary’.
Due to COVID restrictions, the determined duo had to cancel a fair few fundraising events in 2020 and 2021. As a result, they missed their goal, but not by much. They still managed to raise a fabulous £962,000 by their self-imposed deadline.
Now that life is back to normal, they’ve refocused their efforts and plan to reach the million milestone before Michael’s 91st birthday in July.
Of the amazing feat, Michael said, “It’s given me something to do, rather than just vegetate. It makes me feel I’ve done something positive.”
His daughter added “'the reach of the fundraiser has been amazing. Just last week we had a donation from the Netherlands. It's incredible. We get lovely messages from strangers.”
Mike, who was awarded an MBE in 2007 for his services to Cancer Research, added: “It will be the icing on the cake to reach £1m by my 91st birthday.”
Want to help Michael and Bridget achieve their ambitious fundraising target? You can donate to Mike’s Million fund here.
Looking for an inspirational fundraiser? We can help. Give us a call on 0203 750 3111 to find out how.