Greenham man presents cheque to Sue Ryder after fundraising in memory of late mother

A man has presented bereavement support charity Sue Ryder with a cheque for more than £1,300.

Greenham resident, Andrew Johnston, spent two days outside Tesco on Pinchington Lane in December shaking a charity bucket.

He raised the funds as a way to give back to the charity who supported him, and his family, after his mother Joan was diagnosed with motor neurone disease.

Joan died in April 2021 at the age of 77 and her son said the charity went “over and beyond” to make his life easier – while in the midst of the pandemic.

He said: “It all went very well. I cannot thank everyone enough, Sue Ryder and Tesco.

“It really touched me.”

Mr Johnston said he had valuable conversations with those who donated to the cause, with some sharing their personal stories with him.

On Thursday, January 26, he and Rachael McShane from Tesco met with Hannah Richards from Sue Ryder in the Newbury store for a cheque presentation.

Sue Ryder community fundraising manager Hannah Richards said: “Andrew’s commitment and dedication to raising funds in memory of his lovely Mum is so kind and we are ever so grateful.

“It is thanks to the kindness of people fundraising in our local community, like Andrew, that we are able to make a difference to the lives of the patients who are using our services,” she said.

Anyone interested in raising money for Sue Ryder can email hannah.richards@suerydercare.org

This isn’t the first time Mr Johnston has raised money in memory of his mother.

He walked from Newbury to Hungerford last year and received a letter of recognition from Newbury MP Laura Farris after she saw his story in the Newbury Weekly News.

He hopes to stage another walk in the summer.