Bratton man’s fundraising for the Bath Cancer Unit appeal

WHEN asked to travel to Portugal in September last year to raise money for the Bath Cancer Unit’s Positron Scanner Appeal, local man Steve Desport didn’t hesitate. 

Steve, who lives in Bratton and works at Wessex House in Westbury, performs in ‘White Horses’ with fellow guitarist Dave Jenner, and when asked if the duo would travel to Lisbon to perform at a charity event, they immediately started planning the logistics of transporting the instruments and sound equipment to Portugal.

Alan Mearsdon, originally from Trowbridge but now living in Portugal, returns to the RUH in Bath on a regular basis after being treated for prostate cancer between 2010 and 2012.  On hearing about the current £1.2million scanner appeal, Alan felt this was an opportunity to give something back to the cancer unit where he has been looked after so well, and he and his partner Angela set about organising a charity barbecue.

Feeling that the local ‘Brits’ would enjoy being entertained by an English band, he contacted long-term friend Steve, to ask if ‘White Horses’ could provide the entertainment.  Steve and his family, including son Rob who also sang at the event, flew over to Lisbon, but Dave transported the kit via a ferry to Northern Spain and then drove down to Alan’s home just outside of Lisbon.  120 guests arrived at Alan’s courtyard to enjoy a plentiful barbecue, a few beers and the musical talent of Steve, Dave and Rob – raising the sum of £660 for the Bath Cancer Unit.

The BCUSG Trowbridge fundraising committee say they would like to take this opportunity to thank Steve, Dave, Rob and Alan for this wonderful contribution to the scanner appeal, which has currently raised over £680,000.

The fundraising committee would also like to thank two other Westbury residents for their help in raising money for the scanner appeal.

They say, “On 30th November last year, two trees of a difference were unveiled in the main shopping centres in Trowbridge.  At Castle Place, local dance teacher Diane Scott, launched the Christmas ‘Enchanted Wishing Tree’, which throughout December raised a staggering £2,724.

“Whilst in the Shires, local balloon wonder Dave Hickory gave up his Saturday afternoon to build a Christmas tree out of 400 balloons which, located in the middle of the shopping centre, almost reached the ceiling and stayed in situ for a week raising a fabulous £413 from local shoppers.”

Pictured: Dave, Steve and Rob presenting Tino Polledri (chairman of the BCUSG Trowbridge fundraising branch) with a cheque for £660.