David Ash (aka “Pinktutuguy”) from Sandymoor was tickled pink after his mum Betty recently moved into one of the stunning new apartments at Hazlehurst, our over 55s development just metres from his home.
Somewhat a local celebrity in the area, David is known for donning a pink tutu whilst taking on a number of incredible challenges, all in aid of raising funds for Cancer Research UK, a subject that is so dear to so many of us.
David, aged 57, started on his mission to raise as much money, awareness and (smiles!) as he could, back in 2015. David’s father Keith sadly passed away in 1988 at the age of 54 following a battle with cancer and he has now helped raise well over £150,000 for the charity.
His own challenges have included climbing Mount Kilimanjaro (twice!), a 24-hour indoor marathon using a climbing machine at a local gym to successfully scale the equivalent to four times the height of Everest, a number of 24 hour walking events, climbing lots of mountains, running hundreds of miles and flying aerobatics – all of these whilst wearing the trusty pink tutu, as well as thousands of hours engaging with public fundraising events.
David forms part of the “Help us Beat Cancer NW” - a local group who work together to raise vital funds and awareness. Many of that fundraising group live within a stone’s throw of Hazlehurst too!
As well as helping others, David has had his own personal challenges, most recently helping his mum Betty find her dream home that would provide the additional support she needs in later life.
Betty was diagnosed with dementia in 2021 and David’s family was keen to find somewhere safe and secure to live but where his lovely mum could maintain the level of independence that she was used to for so long.
After hearing so many positive stories about Hazlehurst, our over 55s development in Sandymoor, Runcorn, David called the Open Door team, and the rest as they say is history with Betty now moved in and settled into her new apartment, from the house she lived in for over 50 years.
Betty and her husband Keith (both born and bred Runcornians) massively supported Runcorn AFC and ran the Linnets Travel Club in the 1980s and in 1986 organised fans transport to Wembley for the first of Linnets’ predecessor club Runcorn AFC’s three FA Trophy final appearances so we’re sure she’ll have a tale or two to share with the other residents.
Speaking about the move David said:
“We’re absolutely delighted that our mum has settled in so well. Seeing her so safe, secure and relaxed in her new home gives us real peace of mind. Her rapidly expanding friendship and social calendar profile there is something that we could only have dreamed of just a few months ago. For me, in fundraising and in Mum’s life, it’s all about the smiles. I love seeing mum smile in her new forever home. Teamwork makes the dreamwork, of course. With Mum, the Open Door team and the fellow Hazlehurst residents we look forward to many years of smiles yet to come”.
50% of apartments available for Shared Ownership at Hazlehurst independent living scheme in Sandymoor, have now been snapped up so anyone interested in making the move, like Betty shouldn’t hesitate to give our sales team a call on 0333 00 44 777.
The modern 2-bedroom apartments, located on Actons Wood Lane, are all designed to a high
specification and include a range of on-site facilities including communal gardens, bistro and multi-function room.
For more information about the development visit opendoor-homes.co.uk/hazlehurst
To keep in touch with David’s story, you can follow him on facebook (either David Ash or Help Us Beat Cancer Northwest) . Here he’ll also be sharing details of his brand new fund-raising campaign which started just a few weeks ago. You can check out his fundraising page here: https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/pinktutuguy2024
We think you're amazing David - keep up the good work!