Celebrities including Ant and Dec and David Beckham sent a special video message to an inspirational mum from Sunderland who is battling incurable cancer - but is still raising money for charity.
Ann-Marie Sproston, 44, was given the devastating news that she had stage 4B ovarian cancer after being diagnosed with lymphedema in her leg in August 2018. After months of gruelling chemotherapy, Ann-Marie, from Houghton, had a hysterectomy and she was given the all-clear in early 2019.
However, in December 2019, Ann-Marie found a lump in her neck, and sadly doctors told her the cancer had returned and this time it wasn't curable. Ever since her diagnosis, Ann-Marie has dedicated herself to helping others by raising tens of thousands of pounds for charity.
And Ann-Marie's latest fundraising event was a lavish black-tie event at Ramside Hotel in County Durham on Saturday where she raised almost £28,000 during just one night. That means over the last four years, the mum-of-two, along with her loved ones, have raised an incredible £56,000 for charity.
The money raised will be shared between Macmillan Cancer Support, Maggies Centre Newcastle, St Benedict's Hospice, and Ward 21 and the Chemotherapy ward at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Gateshead. The charities are particularly close to Ann-Marie's heart as she stayed on Ward 21.
But during the evening, Ann-Marie was surprised with a heartwarming video message from various famous faces to congratulate her on all her amazing fundraising. Celebrities including David Beckham, Ant and Dec, Chris and Rosie Ramsey, Jordan Pickford, Amanda Staveley, Bob Moncur, Paul Collingwood, and Corrie actress Dolly-Rose Campbell all sent well-wishes.
Ann-Marie said: "I couldn't believe it. When my brother Dom got up and said they got a video message I was expecting to see family members because we have family in America and other family members who couldn't come. But seeing all these celebrities, I was just absolutely gobsmacked. It was just amazing and I absolutely love Ant and Dec."
The event went down a hit with the 330 attendees who enjoyed a two-course meal, entertainment from a six-piece band and a raffle which gave people the chance to bag a number of incredible prizes.
Ann-Marie said: "There were lots of surprises on the night so I organised singing waiters and my family didn't have a clue! The raffle was amazing we had some fantastic prizes. We ended up with 30 prizes and we even had a tattooist offer a full day on the night and that was worth about £300.
"I think all the Facebook messages and texts I got afterwards was what was really heart-warming, people said it was fantastic from start to finish. Even people who were there came up to us and said they couldn't believe how well-organised the event was and how fantastic it went.
"I know how much it means to these charities, especially Ward 21 where I stayed. The money I’ve previously raised has already been used to create a garden for people to enjoy which is just fantastic. It just makes a massive difference and I know they appreciate it so much."
Ann-Marie has been overwhelmed by the generosity of people and thanked everyone who donated. She said: "I'm the eldest of 10 and we all feel so loved and supported by everyone, not just me but for my brothers and sisters and my husband and my two kids because although I'm the one going through it, it impacts the whole family. We can't thank everyone enough. From day one I just wanted to raise more and more money and that's what I've done. It's not just down to me it's my family and friends too who have helped with fundraising."
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