A fundraiser held in memory of a much-loved Alexandria charity man has raised more than £10,000 for good causes.
Lisa Gibson organised Kenny’s Unbelievable Kickass Charity Bash in memory of her dad, Kenny Bissland, who helped raise thousands for good causes through charity football tournaments, fundraisers and events.
Gas fitter Kenny tragically passed away last September at the age of 56 after bravely battling renal cancer that had spread to his bones.
And Lisa admits she was staggered at the generosity shown by everyone who supported the event, which was held to raise funds for CHAS and Macmillan Cancer Support. She said: “I’m so thankful to everyone who donated, came along or helped out in any way.
“Everybody was really generous. The raffle felt never ending, people ended up getting two and three prizes because it was just going on forever.
“Last Sunday night we hit £10,000. On the Friday we had raised just over £8,000, but over the weekend people made more donations to take us up to £10,000.
“That was brilliant. I wasn’t expecting that at all.
“My target would’ve been about £4,000 or £5,000 at an absolute push, so I was delighted with £10,000. It’s amazing.
“I would like to think that I knew it was going to be successful. I just didn’t think it was going to be as successful as it was.
“It shows you, even when times are tough and it’s just been Christmas, that people are still willing to donate to a good cause.”
Lisa revealed that a minute’s applause held in Kenny’s memory was one of the most emotional moments of an evening that he would’ve treasured.
She continued: “We did a minute’s applause for my dad on the dance floor which was so emotional. We were facing the crowd and behind us big confetti cannons went off whilst they were doing a minute’s applause for my dad.
“It was so lovely. It was really emotional.
“People in the crowd were emotional as well. It was lovely.
“In my head I just kept thinking about how much my dad would’ve loved it. He would’ve absolutely loved it, it was his idea of a great night out.”
And Lisa is now planning to make the bash a yearly event, adding: “We’re definitely going to make it an annual thing. Now I have a year to plan it and not just two months!
“I just don’t know how I’m going to top it.
“Everybody let their hair down and enjoyed themselves.
“I was so grateful that people wanted to come.”
