CHRISTINE Dunkin dec- ided to stand up to cancer after her two sisters were diagnosed with the disease.

The former publican has pledged to help raise the £3m needed to build and run a Maggie’s Centre next to the Churchill Hospital, in Headington, Oxford.

Mrs Dunkin, 62, a former landlady of the Eagle and Child and Royal Oak pubs in Oxford, said soon after her sister Maggie Hopcroft, of Oakley, was diagnosed, she sought help from the charity.

It has given her and family members advice, emotional and psychological support, and organised special events where Maggie can forget her illness for a few hours.

Now Mrs Dunkin, of Greenfields, Arncott, near Bicester, wants people to join her in a 5km sponsored walk.

The walk, on Sunday, July 19, at 11am, will start and finish at Pingle Field, Bicester.

The route will include Priory Lane, Chapel Street, Market Square, Sheep Street, The Causeway and Old Place Yard.

Mrs Dunkin said: “About a year ago, Maggie was diagnosed with cancer of the oesophagus and went along to the Maggie’s Centre.

“She could talk to people and get information and she got to know the girls.

“I have been able to go and talk to them.

“They have people there you can talk to, they are trained and know what to say. There are also people who can help with benefits advice. It’s a brilliant service.”

Last year, Mrs Dunkin staged a sponsored dog walk in aid of the appeal.

Before this year’s event, Called Walk to Support, participants will be given a card to attach to their T-shirt where they can write the name of a person who has cancer or who has passed away because of the disease.

Mrs Dunkin’s other sister Ann Jeffries, who lives in Adelaide, Australia, is currently in remission from cancer.

Mrs Dunkin added: “With both my sisters having cancer, I wanted to get involved.

“The charity is very close to my heart.”

Maggie’s Centre fundraiser Sandy Briscoe said so far the appeal had raised £600,000.

She said: “There are a lot of people out there who could need us and don’t realise we are there.

“We are here to help the people of Oxfordshire and everything we do is free.

“Christine set up one of our friends’ groups to raise awareness of Maggie’s in their own areas as well as helping us to raise funds.”

For more information visit Deans Court Cafe, Deans Court, Bicester, or call Ms Briscoe on 01865 225710.

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