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Family's big charity night
A FAMILY who lost two loved ones to an asbestos-related illness are putting on a charity night in their memory.
Harry Gray, 67, and his son Stephen, 45, both died from mesothelioma, a form of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos.
Their devastated family set up the Harry and Stephen Gray Mesothelioma Snowdrop Memorial Fund to help other families who face the disease.
The charity has already raised more than 10,000 for mesothelioma research and have another fundraising night lined-up at the Corporation Welfare Club, in Whitby Street, Hartlepool, on the eve of the anniversary of Stephen's death.
Harry's daughter, Carole Orton, said: "It is the second year anniversary of Stephen's death on June 28 so the night is about remembrance while also raising money for the charity and raising awareness.
"People often raise funds for bigger charities and forget the smaller ones like ourselves, but this is a very important cause. This is just a little charity and we try to do our best to make people aware of this because Teesside is a very industrial place so mesothelioma is a very serious problem."
The 41-year-old auxillary nurse at the University Hospital of Hartlepool says the night will see a string of activities and attractions including a live band, a man having his chest waxed and raffles.
arole's dad died six years ago after he breathed in asbestos while working as a lagger in the shipping industry. Stephen died two years ago after working in power stations.
His death left his fiance Dianne Hurst, 37, to bring up Harry, six, and three-year-old Katie alone.
Dianne joined Carole, Harry's widow Margaret, 71, and her sons, Billy, 52, Kenneth, 51, and 48-year-old Alan, in setting up the fund.
Tickets for the event on June 27 are 3 and are available by ringing Dianne on (01429) 293713 or on the door.
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Saturday 04 February 2012
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