Owner of popular bar in Longton raises over £4,500 for Rosemere Cancer Foundation

Tony Brocklebank with his wife, Sue and son, Ashley.

The owner of a popular bar in Longton has raised over £4,500 for Rosemere Cancer Foundation after undergoing cancer treatment himself.

Tony Brocklebank, 60, who owns The Lemon Tree cafe bar, based on Liverpool Road, raised the money by doing a sponsored walk with his wife Sue and a group of friends last year.

He also put the charity’s collection tins on the bar.

Tony with his supportive customers and friends outside The Lemon Tree.

The donation was then boosted by customer, John Arrowsmith, who added £1,000 to the pot after completing the 72-mile River Ribble Ramble which he was sponsored for.

To achieve the final total, staff and customers from The Golden Ball, the neighbouring pub, added donations.

Tony was diagnosed with cancer at the end of 2022, he attends the chemotherapy unit at Chorley and South Ribble Hospital every month.

Tony said: “I’m very grateful to everyone who has supported my fundraising for Rosemere Cancer Foundation. I want to give something back for the care and treatment I have received and am still receiving.”

Tony, who underwent surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy at Rosemere Cancer Centre following his diagnosis, continued: “The immunotherapy is currently keeping me stable and comfortable.

“I don’t know how long I’ve got and I don’t want to know but I am looking forward to a holiday with Sue in September and to supporting our son Ashley, who is planning a fundraising challenge for Rosemere Cancer Foundation from his home in Zermatt, Switzerland.”

Ashley in training for his challenge in October.

Ashley is a ski instructor, something he decided he wanted to do at the age of six when he went on a skiing trip to France.

His challenge will start at 4pm on 5 October and last 24 hours. He will be supported by his wife, Faye, three-year-old daughter Riley and his friends.

Together, they will run repeated 5km loops of the Matter Vispa river as it courses through the centre of Zermatt, which is shadowed by the Matterhorn.

He said: “The care and support Dad has received from the medical teams at Rosemere Cancer Centre has been incredible. Their dedication to helping cancer patients and their families has inspired me to push my limits and raise funds for their crucial work.”

You can donate to Ashley’s JustGiving page here.

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