Charity champion Roger is heart of market place

Roger Morrison, 66, takes a tablet a day as he continues his battle with the illness.

But despite his ongoing health issues he still manages to run a charity market stall, filled with goods donated by family, friends and businesses, to raise money for Macmillan.

Now, the Washington dad - who runs the stall at the Market Village within the Galleries shopping centre - has been nominated for a Best of Wearside award by Market Village centre manager Karen Carr - who has provided the stall for free for as long as there is vacant space .

She said: “Roger has been here three months now and he is a lovely man.
“He is the heart of the market place and people would be over the moon for him to win the award.

“There is nothing better than winning an award to show someone they are appreciated.”
Retired painter and decorator Mr Morrison, was diagnosed back in April and since then he has faced chemotherapy as well as having to take tablets every day.

He described his nomination as “fantastic” and added: “I am trying my best with the condition I have got.

“This is great news. All I can say is that, at the moment, I am doing really well. It stops me from sitting in the house.”

Mr Morrison is about to hand over £1,500 to macmillan from the proceeds he has already raised, with more to come.

But in true modest fashion, he was the one who wanted to thank other people.

He said: “I can’t thank Karen enough for being behind me all the way.”

The Best of Wearside Awards 2016 are now well under way and we are looking for outstanding members of the community to be put forward for the honour.

Categories include Green Champion; Student of the Year; Fundraiser of the Year; Volunteer of the Year; Sporting Achievement; Community Group; Community Champion; Local Hero; Child of Achievement; and Child of Courage.

This year’s sponsors are Calsonic Kansei, Gentoo, Vantec, Station Taxis, Sunderland City Council Fostering and Adoption Service, JB Skills Training, TWR, and Sunderland Live, who will be sponsoring a range of categories.

To nominate, just send your name, address and telephone number, as well as your email address, if applicable.

Remember to include the category you are putting your nominated cause into.

Send the name of the person you wish to nominate, along with their address, telephone number and email, to Lynn Wild by 5pm on Friday, December 30, 2016.

Entries should sent by email to: [email protected] or posted to: Lynn Wild, Alexander House, Second Floor, Rainton Bridge Business Park, Houghton-le-Spring, Sunderland, DH4 5RA.