Chef turns up the heat in the quest for cancer cure …
Chef Tristan Dooley and breast cancer survivor Liz Hickey are challenging people across Sussex to become ‘BBQ heroes’ for Cancer Research UK this summer. The pair teamed up to launch the charity’s latest fundraising campaign, ‘BBQ for Cancer Research UK’. They are calling on men and women across the county to host a BBQ any time this July, or join in the Big BBQ ‘bonanza’ on the weekend of 19-20 July. The aim is to raise money for life-saving research by asking guests to make a donation to attend.
Tristan was inspired to get involved after hearing about Liz and the life-saving work funded by Cancer Research UK. He has stepped up to the BBQ and taken on the title of ‘BBQ Hero’ to give supporters a flavour of the culinary delights they could serve up to help beat cancer sooner.
Creating a unique recipe, Tristan is hoping that his fruity kebabs will be recreated across the county this summer as people host their own BBQ events. Tristan, who runs Brighton-based Secret Service Events with his partner Tamar, said: “I’m delighted to be a ‘BBQ Hero’ for Cancer Research UK and help promote the charity’s BBQ campaign. People love any excuse to get barbequing whatever the weather, so I hope that friends, families, neighbours and colleagues will get together and get their grill on this July. Hearing about Liz’s personal experience of cancer has really brought home to me how important it is to raise money so Cancer Research UK can fund more life-saving research. I’m asking people to join me and be a BBQ hero this summer. All you need to do is fire up the BBQ and have fun supporting this incredibly worthwhile cause.”
Liz was diagnosed with breast cancer in February 2007 when she was just 28. She was told she would not be able to have children, but now she is mum to two-year-old Thomas. She completed her treatment in August 2008. Although successful, it put her into an early menopause and she was told she couldn’t have children. What appeared to be ‘post-menopausal’ symptoms took her back to hospital for more checks. Liz said: “I wasn’t impressed to be asked to test for pregnancy when I’d been told I couldn’t have children. The doctor convinced me to do the test, and it was like something out of a film. He came back into the room and said I was pregnant! Thanks to cancer research and treatment, not only am I still here – but Thomas is here too!”
Liz, a head of communications is a keen runner, has also run two half marathons. “Come rain or shine, I’ll be bringing together friends and family this July to raise money to help bring forward the day when all cancers are cured.”
Lynn Daly, Cancer Research UK spokesperson for Sussex, said: “It’s great Tristan and Liz are helping to rally a region of BBQ heroes to turn up the heat against cancer. By joining forces with grillers right across the UK, and raising money to fund life-saving research, our supporters in Sussex will be helping to keep more families together for longer.”
Cancer Research UK’s BBQ pack contains everything supporters need to plan their perfect BBQ, including an exclusive ‘BBQ Hero’ chef’s hat, recipe ideas, top tips, decorations, posters and much more. Event hosts can simply collect donations upfront from friends and family or on the day of their BBQ. To sign up to be a BBQ hero and get a free BBQ pack, visit www.cruk.org/BBQ
