A YEAR after leukaemia claimed the life of 32-year-old Mark Donnelly, colleagues and friends are staging an event to honour his memory.
A charity golf tournament will be held in his name at Wynyard Golf Club, near Stockton, on Thursday, April 28.
The aim is to raise much-needed awareness of the Anthony Nolan Trust and funds for its life-saving work.
Thanks to the backing of Teesside Audi, players will have the chance to win an Audi TT car worth more than £20,000 -if they manage a hole in one.
Tragically, despite a bone marrow transplant organised by the Anthony Nolan Trust, Mr Donnelly, a quantity surveyor from Ingleby Barwick, died last April.
Determined not to forget their friend, colleagues at Faithful and Gould Commercial Services, in Stockton, decided to do something.
Gary Marshall, associate director of Faithful and Gould, said: "Mark was quite a guy, very friendly, everybody thought the world of him. We just wanted to do something to remember him."
Tellingly, most of the teams taking part in the Mark Donnelly Memorial Golf Day include former customers and contacts.
Mr Marshall said: "We have already had a fantastic response to our appeal, although we still could do with a couple of teams."
Mr Donnelly, a keen golfer, was diagnosed with leukaemia in March 2003.
He underwent months of chemotherapy in an attempt to keep his illness at bay as family, friends and colleagues registered with the bone marrow donor list.
Hopes were raised when a 36-year-old German proved to be an ideal match.
A year ago, Mr Donnelly underwent a transplant, but after developing a virus, he died on April 8.
His brother, Neil, said: "Mark's old company have been brilliant from the day he was diagnosed.
"It was such a sad time for us, but this makes us realise what an impact Mark had on people."
Peter Finnegan, of the Anthony Nolan Trust, said: "It is lovely to see Mark being remembered in this way.
"We just hope that this event will help raise awareness of the life-saving work of the trust."
To enter a team, call Sarah Dawson on (01642) 675136 for details.
To find out about the Anthony Nolan Trust, call the group on 0901 882 2234 or go to www.anthonynolan.org.uk
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