ANNUAL fundraising in tribute to a Keighley teenager who died following a brain tumour has gone ahead – but took on a different look.

A family fun day and rugby match is normally held each September in memory of Callum Mynott, who was also known as CJ. He died in 2015, aged 17.

But the event – staged at Keighley Albion Rugby Club, where Callum played – couldn’t go ahead this time due to the restrictions designed to stop the spread of Covid-19.

So Callum’s cousin, Nicole Nixon, instead staged a raffle which raised £1,040 for CLIC Sargent – a cancer charity for children and young people.

“I’m delighted to say the event was a great success,” she said.

“Me and my family – especially my uncle, David Mynott, CJ’s dad – want to thank all the local businesses which got behind the raffle and were so generous with their donations.

“It’s been very overwhelming how many people have not just donated prizes, but bought raffle tickets. I set my target at £500 – I didn’t expect to raise as much as I did!”

Nicole added: “I’m really proud to be a part of ‘Team CLIC Sargent’.

“I’ve seen first-hand the difference the charity makes to the lives of children and young people with cancer and their families.

“Cancer turns families’ lives upside down and it’s so important that CLIC Sargent is there to provide all the support they need. It feels great to be doing my bit to help this amazing charity reach those families.”

Last year in West Yorkshire, CLIC Sargent supported 189 families.

It awarded grants totalling £37,680 to help families cope with added costs associated with a cancer diagnosis – a report by the charity found that families with a child on active treatment spent an extra £600 a month.

Jenny Dixon, CLIC Sargent fundraising engagement manager for Yorkshire and North Derbyshire, said: “When cancer strikes young lives we fight tirelessly to limit the damage it causes beyond their health. We rely entirely on donations to fund our vital work and so we can’t thank Nicole and her family enough for their fantastic efforts.

“Thanks to Nicole and everyone who donated prizes and bought raffle tickets, we will be able to help even more young people thrive – not just survive – after their cancer diagnosis.”

For further information about CLIC Sargent’s work – and details of how you can get involved and support the charity this Christmas – visit clicsargent.org.uk.