We are delighted to welcome John Hodgson as our new charity chairman.
Former secondary school chemistry teacher and assistant head teacher John (71) who lives in Brinscall with his wife Kath, has a long history with us. In fact, he may well be a familiar face to many of our current fundraisers and volunteers; he has supported us in a number of ways for the best part of 20 years.
John’s association with Rosemere dates back to 2006 when he lost first wife Catherine to breast cancer, and he began to organise events to fundraise for us.
John said: “As with many Rosemere Cancer Foundation supporters, I felt I wanted to give something back for the wonderful treatment Catherine had received at Rosemere Cancer Centre.”
“I vowed to organise an event to raise funds for the tremendous work that goes on at the centre. I organised a couple of music concerts at my local church, St Joseph’s RC Church, Withnell, and as I enjoy cooking, I famously held two restaurant evenings at my house. I cooked a three course meal for about 20 guests, each of them paying a restaurant price, which I then donated to Rosemere Cancer Foundation.”
John taught chemistry up to A-level for 36 years at Bolton’s Thornleigh Salesian College. Although he retired from teaching in 2010, John is still involved in education as a governor of Withnell’s St Joseph’s RC Primary School. He has served for more than 20 years as Vice Chair and Chair of its Finance Committee.
John’s support of us continued to grow as he began volunteering at our events, and with photography as another hobby, John often acted as our “official” photographer and website manager.
Before stepping up to his new role (which is voluntary and largely ambassadorial) this summer, John was volunteer representative on our charity Management Committee.
John, who is step-dad to Joanne, Yvonne and Sarah and a grandfather of four, said: “I feel so honoured to be invited to become chairman of Rosemere Cancer Foundation.
“It has been an absolute privilege seeing first-hand the way the charity and its supporters have worked and sacrificed to raise the funds to support the clinical teams at Rosemere Cancer Centre and other local cancer units to help them provide the best treatment and care possible to patients.”
John added: “As a volunteer myself for so many years, my connection with other volunteers and supporters is especially strong. Many have become good friends and both Kath, who is also a supporter and often attends events with me, and I are looking forward to making lots more new friends as I grow into my new role.”
Dan Hill, head of charities for Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which manages Rosemere Cancer Centre, said: “The whole team at Rosemere Cancer Foundation couldn’t be more delighted that John has accepted the invitation to become the charity’s new chairman.
“John is a true friend of Rosemere Cancer Foundation. He has worked tirelessly over the years to raise funds and support the team and its volunteers in so many ways and always in good humour. He is reliable and dependable, a real trooper, who has turned out and turned up whatever the weather and at the 11th hour. John instils confidence. It is a real asset to have him at the helm.”
Thank you for your continued support, John!