St Annes Ex-Servicemen march in memory of friend who tragically died from cancer

A team of dedicated ex-servicemen marched in memory of a brave friend.
Stuart Ogden, Tony Armstrong, John Rimmer and John Dempsey raised more than £1,800 for Trinity Hospice in memory of Tonys wife, Tracy, who died from cancerStuart Ogden, Tony Armstrong, John Rimmer and John Dempsey raised more than £1,800 for Trinity Hospice in memory of Tonys wife, Tracy, who died from cancer
Stuart Ogden, Tony Armstrong, John Rimmer and John Dempsey raised more than £1,800 for Trinity Hospice in memory of Tonys wife, Tracy, who died from cancer

John Dempsey, Tony Armstrong and John Rimmer marched more than eight miles from Trinity Hospice in Bispham to St Annes Ex-Servicemens Club to raise money in memory of Tony’s wife, Tracy, who tragically died from cancer last year at the age of just 39.

Stuart Ogden, 49, secretary at St Annes Ex-Servicemen’s Club on Alexandra Road, organised the event which raised more than £1,800 for Trinity Hospice.

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He said: “Tracy was a member of the club and a regular. She was a laugh a minute. Every time you took her to a party you could guarantee she’d be doing something.

Tracy Armstrong, who died in November from cancerTracy Armstrong, who died in November from cancer
Tracy Armstrong, who died in November from cancer

“She was the life and soul of the party.

“It’s true what they say – cancer only happens to the best of us.

“Trinity Hospice were fantastic.

They treated her so well she wished she had gone in earlier. When you hear the word ‘hospice’ you assume the worst, but it was not like that at all. We were gobsmacked when we found out they didn’t get any funding from the government.

Tracy Armstrong, who died in November from cancerTracy Armstrong, who died in November from cancer
Tracy Armstrong, who died in November from cancer

“We at the club have decided to do something every year to raise money for them. It’s a no-brainer.

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“We weren’t expecting to raise so much. It shocked us all. Most of the cash came from the club.

“Not all of us took part but we all came together to give the team a big cheer when they reached the finish line.

“We’re hoping to make the march an annual event, hopefully with even more ex-servicemen taking part.”

Hospice thanks club members for cash

Michelle lonican, community fundraiser at Trinity Hospice, said: “We would like to say a huge thank you on behalf of everyone at Trinity Hospice. What a wonderful gesture to raise so much money for us through this event. “The Ex-Servicemen’s Club has a long association with us and we are very grateful for their continued support.

“The money raised will help care for patients across the Fylde coast, both here in the 
hospice itself and in their own homes.”

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