News & Sport for Harwich & Manningtree, Leisure and local info From Harwich & Manningtree Standard

Full of beans for fundraising

From the archive, first published Tuesday 14th Aug 2007.

A cook is set to bathe in a bath of beans and raise money to help treat a toddler suffering from a rare eye cancer.

Irene Desborough, 59, is aiming to raise money to help send Emma Cook, who is undergoing chemotherapy, on a trip of a lifetime.

Mrs Desborough is a cook at Witham Nursery on Maldon Road and instead of cooking with baked beans she is preparing to sit in a bath full to raise money for the brave three-year-old.

Mrs Desborough of Humber Road, Witham, has worked at the nursery for three years and was aiming to raise about £200 but has already received pledges totalling £300.

She said: "I know it's a bit mad but I have known people with cancer and anything to do with children, I'm there."

Mrs Desborough, who is in remission for breast cancer herself, said that the nursery is like one big family and although she does not see Emma very often she hopes the event can raise as much money as possible so that as soon as Emma is well enough she can travel to Disneyland.

Tesco supermarket in the town is donating £40 of baked beans and Mrs Desborough is sure she will have to buy more.

She said: "I put an announcement out on Radio Essex if anyone could help with my event and a man has come forward with a bath.

"I estimate that it will take around 200 tins (of beans) to fill it, so I'm hoping my husband buys the extra tins and gives me a hand opening them all on the day."

The fundraising event is being held at Witham cricket club, Maldon Road, between 12 and 3pm on August 27.