ONE of the oldest charity groups in South Cheshire is to be honoured with a trip to meet leaders in London.
Crewe and Nantwich Cancer Research Committee, which celebrated its 50th anniversary this week, is to see where its money is being spent on vital re-search into the disease.
Cancer Research UK charity chiefs in London have invited the group to its laboratory in Lincoln's Inn Fields where many breakthroughs have been made in different cancer treatments.
Officials also travelled to Bentley in Crewe, where the group meets monthly, to give certificates marking its golden anniversary and staggering fundraising total to date - more than £500,000.
Chairman Sheila Burgess, who received an MBE for her services to the charity in 2001, said: 'We are believed to be one of the oldest fundraising groups in the county, if not the oldest.
'Membership continues to thrive. At last week's annual meeting we took on five new members, bringing the committee to 30. Ages range from late teens to retired people. It's a lively mix which ensures our events attract all ages.'
Mrs Burgess, who lives at Wistaston, joined the group in 1957. As a young doctor's wife she saw many patients suffering from the disease and after being asked to open a fete, she became a devoted fundraiser.
In 1999, the Crewe Committee joined forces with the ailing Nantwich committee. Its numbers had dwindled due to old age and people leaving the area.
The combined group went from strength to strength and meetings at the former Rolls-Royce swelled.
Now meeting every first Tuesday of the month at 7.30pm in The Academy at Bentley, the group continues to welcome new members.
At the annual meeting Herbert Rowsell, the former headteacher of Malbank School in Nantwich, was appointed president and Patrick Edwards, of Shavington, vice-president.
