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139 auction and telethon is cancelled unless alternate organizers are found

The 139 Children’s Fundraising Society’s annual auction and telethon in Williams Lake are cancelled.
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Auctioneer Ab Newman (left) and 139 Children’s Fundraising Society Chair Greg Ashley work at the 139 Children’s Fundraising Society’s auction held at the legion in January 2011. Although he had suffered a stroke just a couple of months before this event Ashley stepped up to help with the auction. But after suffering a series of mini-strokes and a second stroke earlier this year he is not able to have any part in organizing or staging fundraisers for the society this year. The annual auction and telethon normally held this time of year in Williams Lake is cancelled unless another organization or group of individuals puts on the event.

The 139 Children’s Fundraising Society’s annual auction and telethon in Williams Lake is cancelled this year unless another organization or group of individuals takes on the job.

The society usually holds a telethon and auction in Williams Lake during January or early February.

But after suffering a series of mini-strokes last winter and a second major stroke in May, society chair Greg Ashley says he is not able to be involved in the event this year at all.

“If someone wants to put on an event in Williams Lake this year that would be great but we are unable to assist,” Greg says.

Greg suffered his first stroke in November 2010.

As a result of that stroke he was not able to co-ordinate both the auction and telethon for 2011 so the event was scaled back to an auction only that was held at the legion hall.

For more than 26 years the 139 Children’s Fundraising Society has raised funds to help families with the cost of travel and accommodation to take their sick children for medical treatment in larger communities.

Greg says the society ran out of funds several months ago and has since been referring people in need to the Variety Club and the Northern Family and Friends Group in Prince George.

Greg says he has also advised the communities of Horsefly and Anahim/Nimpo Lake and the Banker’s Variety Show groups that normally host fundraisers for the society that he will not be able to participate in those events either.

But if the groups want to continue with their fundraising efforts, he says Greg his wife and the society’s executive director, will continue to deliver funds to families in need until the society either folds or new management can be found.

Last year, Donna says, approximately $40,000 was raised for the society which helped to provide assistance for 50 families with sick children.

Greg says he is also selling his flooring business because he is no longer able to look after the company.

“We need to retire 100 per cent. My doctors say it isn’t good and I don’t want to experience a third stroke,” Greg says.

He says his doctors also say it is critical for his recovery that he have more physiotherapy as soon as possible. But so far he says he has only been able to access one hour a week of publicly funded therapy at the hospital.

He says he can’t afford private therapy sessions so his doctor has arranged for him to have therapy three days a week at the stroke clinic in Kamloops for the month of March.

Greg asks that anyone interested in organizing an auction or telethon in Williams Lake for the society to contact the legion.

He says Donna also has her hands full helping to take care of him.

“We can give people information; we just can’t participate,” Greg says.