AN action-packed weekend of fundraising activities in Bury saw a determined duo raise a big chunk towards their £20,000 charity target.

In October last year, friends Kelly Dooley and Kerry Lyons made a pact to raise the fivefigure sum for The Christie hospital in 12 months.

The pair organised the full weekend of events in the borough which saw them raise more than £7,500 towards the total.

Kelly, who runs wedding and events business Kellibrations, and Kerry, a nurse, held a family fun day with six lifesized cartoon characters at the Mill Gate Centre, Bury.

The following day, Kelly and 26 brave abseilers tackled the 128ft-high Peel Tower in Holcombe for the cause.

There were smiles all round when it was revealed the fun day had raised £3,306.64 and the abseil £4,268 in sponsorship pledges – a total who attended and we are very grateful for the ongoing support we have received.”

Kerry and Kelly have cemented their friendship, planning a succession of events for the fundraising campaign after they bonded over both losing close relatives to cancer.

Kelly’s mother-in-law Marcia Dooley died of pancreatic cancer and Kerry’s dad, Peter Hamer, of oesophageal cancer.

At the vertigo-inducing abseil each daredevil wore a Tshirt emblazoned with The Christie logo with a message on the back stating in whose memory they were taking part.

Kerry said: “Views from the top are breathtaking and all the fear of climbing over the edge is very quickly replaced by elation once you reach the bottom.

Kelly, aged 32, from Farnworth, added: “We are so very proud of everyone who took part. They all readily offered their support to our fundraising efforts and without this we would struggle to achieve our target.

“All the people who participated did the abseil in honour of someone and this made the day very special.”