Sue Murray
Sue Murray, Chairman Dartmouth Macmillan Cancer Support
Sue Murray has taken over the reins from Sue Wright who moved to Yorkshire in February on the retirement of her husband, Simon, Vicar of Dartmouth. Sue says, “Following in Sue Wrights footsteps will not be an easy task! However over the years we have built up a very strong committee and team of helpers, and I feel very confident that we can continue to raise funds successfully. I would like to take this opportunity to mention the important fact that all the funds we raise are kept in the South West.”
Sue feels particularly strongly about the treatment of cancer, as can be seen from her dedicated career in nursing, her membership on the Committee for the past 7 ½ years and as a veteran fund raiser for various other cancer charities.
Born in University College Hospital London, Sue returned there after training as a nurse at Westminster Hospital where she was Senior Staff Nurse on the radiotherapy/oncology ward. She took up the post of Sister on the radiotherapy unit after nursing for a year in South Africa. She had returned from there on The Windsor Castle escorting a patient unable to fly home – a memorable three weeks indeed! Then followed a period of general nursing in Sussex.
Sue met her husband Jim, a research Doctor and a single parent with 4 young children. Although more than fully exercised by the sudden acquisition of a large family, she also brought up Tom and Toby, sons from her marriage to Jim.
Jim has also been very dedicated to the fight against cancer, and in this respect Sue was on hand to help him with a new pharmaceutical research group, now a major UK company and also assisted in his work as a Trustee, first with the Wessex Cancer Trust and later with the Breast Cancer Campaign.
After many years holidaying in Dartmouth, the family moved here permanently 8 years ago. As soon as she arrived in 2002 Sue joined the Macmillan team and immediately offered her home, with its spectacular river and sea vistas, for committee meetings and garden functions – her cream teas in the garden are legendary.
Sue says, “The amount of continued support we receive from the people of Dartmouth and surrounding villages is incredible.. In particular, the magnificent support from The Dart Marina Hotel and their staff for our “annual” World’s Biggest Coffee morning; Nigel Way and his staff at The Royal Castle Hotel for their fund raising coffee mornings, and those residents who so generously open their gardens to help raise cash, is really remarkable.” The next garden opening is on June 12th at Ash House Farm at 2.30pm.
All these events have helped to raise over £65,000 in the last 9 years, and Sue and her colleagues are determined to build on this excellent achievement. They are always looking for suitable gardens with available parking, which can be utilised for a cream tea event.
If you would like to help or have a garden which could be used, Sue would be delighted to hear from you (telephone 07967 726496)
First Published March 2010 By The Dart