Up and away for charity

More than 250 balloons will be released tonight during a party to celebrate the 50th birthday of Mrs Trudy Dawkin, of Devon Road, Newark.

Mrs Dawkin has decided to use her birthday to raise money for two causes close to her heart — Macmillan nurses and the learning disability services run at Whitfield Street, Newark.

The first charity is important to her because her brother, Mr Russell Wilson, 47, was diagnosed with cancer at Christmas and is currently undergoing treatment at Nottingham City Hospital.

She has selected the second cause because she is the carer for her sister, Susan Wilson, 62, and her son, Mr David Wilson, 35, who are both mentally handicapped and live with her.

Mrs Dawkin said that rather than have presents she wanted to raise as much money as possible for the two causes.

She has already sold 250 £1 tickets for the balloon release. Each will have a message attached in memory of a loved one.

Her family have helped her to organise the event at The Cardinal’s Hat, Newark, and obtain items to raffle and auction, including two tickets for a private box at Nottingham Forest FC from its chairman, Mr Nigel Doughty.