A fund-raiser from Ramsey has received a national award from Cancer Research UK in recognition of her contribution to the charity’s work.

The charity’s annual Flame of Hope Awards acknowledge remarkable efforts in fund-raising and volunteering made by people from all walks of life.

Nancy Grey started raising money in her husband’s memory following his death from cancer in 1984 - she was named a Cancer Research UK honorary fellow in celebration of unflinching loyalty and dedication.

Nancy puts her success down to the support from people in the area and to being part of a strong local committee.

The Ramsey & District Committee will celebrate 30 years of fund-raising this year – in that time they have raised more than £500,000 for Cancer Research UK.

Nancy said: “I don’t see my award as being just for me, I see it as an acknowledgment of the hard work by the fellow committee members and of the donations we receive. So many people, young and old, individuals and groups, from schools, sporting clubs, shops, and companies have helped us, that it is difficult to list them all.

“Very many ‘in memoriam’ donations are sent to us and they are fully appreciated. At a desperately sad time for friends and relatives, it is a great tribute to them that they think how others might be helped.

“They direct their donations to Cancer Research UK knowing how their support is very much needed in our strenuous efforts to be rid of cancers. We sincerely thank them for their support.”

The money currently being raised by the committee goes to the nearby Cambridge Institute – where Cancer Research UK is combining science and technology with patient care to pioneer new ways to prevent, detect and treat cancer.

Laura Holland, Cancer Research UK fund-raising manager, said: “These awards are our way of honouring incredible people like Nancy who give their time freely to raise money for research and promote greater awareness of the disease, and yet ask for nothing in return.”