A CHESTER mum has finally reached her fundraising target of £40,000 to donate to a Christie’s hospital research fund.

Shelly Newall, 31, of Laws Gardens, lost her husband Matty to pancreatic cancer in April.

After his death, Shelly decided she wanted to raise £40,000 before the first anniversary of Matty’s death to donate to the Colorectal and Hepatobiliary Research Fund, which is run by the doctor who gave her husband more time.

Matty had been denied treatment at Clatterbridge Hospital, but when he went to Christie’s hospital in Manchester, Dr Juan Valle said he would treat him. The treatment gave Matty a few more months to spend with Shelly and their three young children.

Shelly held fundraising activities over the past seven months including events with schools and nurseries, skydives and the Great North Run. Her final event was a black tie evening and charity auction at Chester Racecourse.

Shelly said: “It was a huge success with more than £12,000 made for Christie’s and we were able to present Dr Valle with £40,000.

“We had auction prizes including Manchester United signed football shirts, a signed Liverpool football and programme, a Take That ticket, a Boodles necklace, hotel breaks and more.

“Due to the success of this event, we decided to make the Matty Newall Fund an annual event.”

To find out more about Shelly’s fundraising, visit www.mattynewallfund.co.uk.