Deganwy woman's charity ball tribute to precious friend

Dec 18 2008 by Mari Jones, North Wales Weekly News

A BUSINESSWOMAN with a caring heart has raised almost £55,000 for a cancer charity in memory of her friend.

Ruth MacBryde, 42, of Gannock Park, Deganwy, held a glittering ball at the Carden Park Hotel near Chester earlier this year raising £54,050 towards Cancer Research UK.

Ruth held the ball in memory of her friend Betty Hughes of Llandudno, who lost her battle with bowel cancer a couple of years ago, aged 63. Betty was Ruth’s housekeeper.

Ruth, who is in charge of interior design at the St Asaph-based housebuilding firm Macbryde Homes run by her husband Simon, said: “Betty was so much more than a housekeeper, she was a close and much-loved family friend.

“I used to call her Precious because that’s exactly what she was. It really broke my heart when she died so I decided to do something in her memory.”

The result was the Precious Ball hosted by comedian Willie Miller. Ruth persuaded business acquaintances to donate a host of fabulous prizes for an auction. They included a week’s holiday in a villa in Barbados and four tickets for the Champions’ League semi-final match between Liverpool and Chelsea.

Ruth said: “I am truly humbled by the generosity of the individuals who got involved. If everyone was to help in whatever way they could, it would benefit us all.”

Liz Normie, Cancer Research UK’s area volunteer manager, said: “I would like to say an enormous thank you to Ruth and all those that supported her.

“The huge amount of money raised will help to support Cancer Research UK’s scientists, doctors and nurses based throughout the UK.”

mari.jones