MS charity champ nominated for Best of Hartlepool Award

A '˜good friend' who stepped up to help fundraise for a pal's life-changing MS treatment has been put forward for a Best of Hartlepool Award.
MS fundraiser Angela Crowe.MS fundraiser Angela Crowe.
MS fundraiser Angela Crowe.

Last year Angela Crowe decided she couldn’t sit back and watch friend Eric Thomson’s Progressive MS take its toll – she had to do help.

The mum of two launched a £35k fundraising campaign to raise funds for Eric to receive pioneering stem cell treatment in Mexico.

MS sufferer Eric Thomson, of Jowitt Road, Hartlepool, whos family are trying to raise £30,000 to send Eric to Mexico for treatment.MS sufferer Eric Thomson, of Jowitt Road, Hartlepool, whos family are trying to raise £30,000 to send Eric to Mexico for treatment.
MS sufferer Eric Thomson, of Jowitt Road, Hartlepool, whos family are trying to raise £30,000 to send Eric to Mexico for treatment.
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The phlebotomist from John House Gardens in Hartlepool, has run as series of events over the past nine months, raising around £21,500 towards the cost of treatment.

“I am surprised to have been nominated,” Mrs Crowe said.

“It’s crazy, but it is nice to be recognised, although I am not the only one to have been fundraising– Eric’s family and individuals have also been involved. 
“I started fundraising on July 8 last year as I said to Joanne; ‘we can just sit and talk about this, or we can do something.’

“I just thought if it was me or my husband I know I would have Joanne’s back.

MS sufferer Eric Thomson, of Jowitt Road, Hartlepool, whos family are trying to raise £30,000 to send Eric to Mexico for treatment.MS sufferer Eric Thomson, of Jowitt Road, Hartlepool, whos family are trying to raise £30,000 to send Eric to Mexico for treatment.
MS sufferer Eric Thomson, of Jowitt Road, Hartlepool, whos family are trying to raise £30,000 to send Eric to Mexico for treatment.

“Eric’s condition is heart-breaking and shows you how precious life is.”

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So far Mrs Crowe has held numerous fundraising events ranging from an ’80s night to a spiritualist evening with Peter Crawford.

Now a few more events are lined up until the end of May, with Eric set to fly out to Mexico on June 19 for the treatment.

The 49-year-old former Camerons Brewery worker of Jowitt Road, hopes a Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT) abroad could slow – if not stop – the progression of his MS, and improve mobility.

Eric Thomson said Angela really deserved the award for everything she has done for him.

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“It is fantastic,” he said. “She has been excellent and deserves everything she has got. She is our rock.
“I have known Angela for around 20 years, as she and my wife Joanne are best friends.

“She has been a really good friend to us.”