Two fundraisers continued to raise thousands of pounds for charities last year, despite both losing their partners.
June Wright and Paul Gray have raised funds for numerous good causes for years together alongside their spouses Don and Jean, most recently though a tombola and stall put on every fortnight at Johnson Hospital.
But June and Paul lost their spouses in 2025 after being both diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
Despite taking four months out following their losses, June and Paul still raised nearly £3,400 for Alzheimer’s Research, more than in 2024.
June has also raised over £200 for The Tulip Suite, the end of life care at Spalding’s Johnson Hospital where Don spent his last days.
June started fundraising 50 years ago, when alongside first husband David Mason, she hosted regular dances and events in Market Deeping.
After David’s death she began to raise money for the Sue Ryder Hospice in his memory and was joined by Paul and his wife Jean, alongside Don.
In 2019 June began hosting the regular tombolas at the Johnson Hospital and to raise money for Alzheimer’s UK after Don and also Jean were diagnosed with the condition.
When both died aged 82 and 89 respectively last year June and Paul (both 79)stopped hosting the stall for a few months, but returned and last week handed the cheque over to the charity’s Zoe Dean.
“It was a difficult decision to go back and raise money, but we felt we both needed to do what we can for those looking to find a cause for Alzheimer’s,” said June. “When we had last year’s cheque presentation we’d never have imagined that when we’d do the next one there would only be two of us left.
“We’ve spoken to so many using the hospital whose lives have been affected by Alzheimer’s.
“It’s absolutely been worth going back and raising the money for Alzheimer’s UK and The Tulip Suite who did such a fantastic job looking after Don.”
June doesn’t know how much money she’s raised for charities over the years.
“I’d like to thank everyone who has helped us to raise money,” she said. “Thanks to the Johnson Hospital for letting us have the stall and to everyone who has supported us.
“A big thank you goes to Jean Lewis, Sue England, Ann Long and Margaret Twain who all knit and create things I can sell on the stall.”
The pair’s stall is at Johnson Hospital every other Tuesday and is next there on February 10.
