Pushing the Button for Cancer Care

In appreciation of the wonderful care his wife, Kellie, received for breast cancer at Glenfield Hospital, Leicester, Richard Dolman AMIDE decided to use a chimney blowdown to raise money for the Breast Care Centre.

The project, undertaken by Richard's company, A R Demolition Ltd, was to demolish two massive chimneys at the Desford Steel Tubes factory.  Hundreds of people turned up on a Sunday morning in September to watch the two chimneys, each measuring 150ft, eventually crash to the ground.  An unexpected surprise was the opportunity each viewer had to buy a chance to press the button to set off the detonation.

As the chimneys came down so the amount raised went up, eventually to £7259.33 which was presented by Richard and Kellie on 18 November.

Richard said: "I'm obviously thrilled to raise that much money because I only thought we'd get half that. I'm pleased that we've managed to get something good out of a bad situation and it's certainly raised awareness of breast cancer among people around me. If you're in a position to be able to put something back then it's the least you can do really."

Debbie Adlerstein, Fundraising Manager at Leicester Hospitals Charity, said: "The money raised by the Dolman family and AR Demolition Ltd is fantastic and will go to make a real difference to patient care, helping to support the fantastic work that already takes place at the Breast Care Centre."