70s night raises £9,000
(Herald Express 26/4/2007)
by Victoria West

COOL THREADS: Stephen, left and friends at the fundraiser.

A staggering £9,000 was raised in a charity fundraiser to celebrate the life of cancer victim Denise Russell.

Even when she knew she was dying the young Grovehill mum spent much of her precious remaining time raising cash for charities, including Berkhamsted's Hospice of St Francis.
Now, led by husband Stephen, friends and family have helped continue the fundraising crusade in Denise's memory.

More than 1,000 people turned out for a fundraising 70s disco at Watford's Colosseum on Friday night to celebrate the brave mum's life.

Stephen dressed in pink flares, platform shoes and a big wig for the event. Funds, which will go to Cancer Treatment and Research Trust and The Hospice of St Francis, were raised through ticket sales, donations and a raffle for a luxury hamper that raised £700 alone.

Stephen said: "We never thought we would get that much. It is unbelievable. I'm absolutely over the moon I can't even describe how I feel. I'm still buzzing from it.
"I'd just like to say a massive thank you to everyone. There isn't any words to express how much gratitude I have got for everyone who turned up.
"Denise would have been absolutely dumbstruck if she had seen it."

The latest fundraiser means that between them Denise and Stephen have raised more than £20,000 for worthwhile charities that help people fighting cancer.
Denise was diagnosed with terminal malignant melanoma - a type of skin cancer - when she was just 29-years-old.
She first discovered she had the illness five years before and had successful surgery to remove a cancerous mole.
But in May 2005 Denise discovered another spot on her back and tests by doctors revealed she had terminal tumors in her liver and head.

Despite being given only a short time to live she spent much of her time fundraising to help others with cancer. She made bandannas at her home in Washington Avenue, which she sold for £3 and held a fundraising disco at Kernel Hempstead Football Club with friends and family.

Her fundraising efforts meant that by her death in February 2006, at the age of 30, she had raised almost £10,000 which was donated to the cancer centre at Mount Vernon Hospital and the Hospice of St Francis.

The fundraising party held at the weekend was such a huge success that Stephen and friends have been asked by managers at the venue to organise regular events and if this goes ahead Stephen hopes a percentage from these evenings will go to charity.

Stephen is now due to start a new job with Hemel Hempstead firm Cloisters Design and has recently met a new partner Michelle Hill, who has been helping with fundraising.
Stephen said: "She as much as me, wants to keep Denise's memory alive."

Stephen would like to thank everybody who helped make the disco possible. This includes Halstan Printers of Amersham who printed posters and tickets for free, Michael Dykes who provided the DJ-ing and show free of charge, John Lewis/Ocado and Dixons for donating vouchers for competitions and also Virgin Vie for the hamper and Jan Wright who took photos on the night.