Ipswich: Fundraising effort at school in memory of Ipswich dad-of-two deemed a massive success

Andrew Wise (Image: Archant)

Andrew Wise died in March this year following a three-year battle with kidney cancer – he spent a total of nine weeks being cared for at St Elizabeth Hospice.

His wife, Christina, put on a marathon event on Friday at Cliff Lane Primary School, which her children Oliver and Grace attend, as part of a £30,000 fundraising drive to boost the charity – and she was amazed at the result.

While the youngsters were given the challenge of doing up to 26 laps of the field in a set amount of time, there was also a raffle, cake sale and a fire engine was also brought to the school to entertain the youngsters.

Mrs Wise, of the Rivers Estate, said: “It was amazing, absolutely amazing. It was bigger than I every imagined.

“It was a small fundraiser that turned out to be like a small mini fair.

“I was very touched by the kindness of everybody donating as well.

“It’s such a good cause. I am in awe of everybody that helped on the day and supported me. It wouldn’t have happened without the support of everybody else.”

She also thanked Waitrose, which provided water and fruit for the children, and Just Jay Dance, which led the warm up at the start of the event.

Andrew, who worked at the Port of Felixstowe, was diagnosed with advanced kidney cancer in 2011. Christina described him as a larger-than-life character, an amazing dad and a devoted husband.

She will now be running other fundraising events in his memory, with the hope of reaching the £30,000 mark, which is the estimated cost of Andrew’s care at the hospice in Foxhall Road.

Christina added: “There is a big void that was left by Andy so to do all the fundraising, it helps fill that. There are some people I don’t know who have been helping me. I feel very lucky – it’s amazing.”

The total amount raised from the event on Friday is not yet known.

If you would like to make a donation, visit tribute.stelizabethhospice.org.uk/andywise