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Autumn 2023GEM Appeal Strawberry Sparkle Lunch

This year’s Strawberry Sparkle Ladies’ Lunch at Rochdale Golf Club raised £3,367 for the GEM Appeal charity, a fabulous afternoon of raising money for research into rare genetic diseases.

Singer James Cockerill and Tricia Penrose provided entertainment, with special guests, actors Chris Hargreaves and Jason Done.

GEM Appeal chairman Karen Johnson gave a heart-rending speech about how pioneering research at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital has resulted in enzyme replacement therapy treatments being developed.

Research at the hospital’s Willink Unit laboratory, named after Karen’s sons Simon and Mikey, means rare genetic conditions, such as Hunter Syndrome – which both boys suffered with – no longer means a death sentence, as it did for them.

The next GEM Appeal fundraiser is the Fizz Fashion Show at Rochdale Golf Club at 7pm on 2 October 2023. Tickets £5. Full details: www.gemappeal.org.uk