A 22-year-old woman from Hitchin lost her brother to blood cancer has issued a massive thanks to everyone who helped make her fundraising event in his honour such a success.
Ellie Males’ brother Joe died from the disease in 2007 – eight days after his 16th birthday.
Since then the Males family, together with friends and well-wishers, have held a series of fundraisers to collect funds for national charity Bloodwise – formerly known as Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research.
Sporty Ellie, of Old Hale Way, organised a Zumbathon at Hitchin’s Priory School on Saturday that saw more than 70 people take part in the activity – which is a cross between dance and aerobics.
Afterwards, she said: “We had so much fun and we enjoying organising it. It couldn’t have happened without the help and support of so many people.
“We’d like to thank Priory headteacher Geraint Edwards, Richard Cowell and Tony Leary who all have been a great help – as well as each and everyone who turned up and took part.
“We had everyone from children to pensioners take part. They have all helped us raise £2,236 so far with more funds to come, and the money will go towards helping finding a cure for blood cancer.
“The amount also takes the total we have raised since 2007 to more than £40,000 – so a big thank you to everyone.”
Due to the success of Saturday’s Zumbathon, Ellie is already planning to hold a similar event next year.
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