A fundraiser has hit a target of raising more than £50,000 for The Christie since it started a decade ago.

Alex McCann set up Altrincham VS Cancer in partnership with the PureGym in the town 10 years ago.

Mr McCann, who is the owner of social media marketing agency Altrincham HQ, said the fundraiser started after his friend Mark Winstanley lost his parents to the disease. Tragically, the fundraiser took on extra emotional significance when Mr Winstanley lost his life to the disease a number of years ago.

They were treated at The Christie, the cancer centre in Withington, which is one of the largest of its type on the continent and which treats tens of thousands a year.

Mr McCann has hit a target of raising more than £50,000 for the cancer centre, reaching more than £57,500 over the course of this year's Altrincham VS Cancer.

Initially it consisted of a 5K event on the treadmills at the PureGym on Stamford New Road but, now, it consists of a number of other events at schools such as Altrincham Grammar School for Boys, Altrincham Preparatory School for Boys and North Cestrian School and supermarkets such as Tesco Extra.

Messenger Newspapers: Alex McCann (centre) and 'Team Christie' at Altrincham PureGym

Mr McCann said: "I am blown away by how the town comes together each year for this event. Cancer touches everyone and this is why we have organisations across 'Greater Altrincham', from Broadheath to Bowdon, getting involved.

"The support of Altrincham Tesco and Altrincham Prep School this year helped and I would love every single supermarket and school to get involved. We have our eyes on a £100,000 target which we will achieve in the next three years."

Mr McCann said it is still possible to contribute to the total through a page on JustGiving.

The page on JustGiving is justgiving.com/fundraising/altrinchamvscancerinyourowntime. 

This article was written by Jack Tooth. To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.