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The Sunderland Echo
March 28, 2008
Tragic cabbie's widow boosts teenage girl's charity drive
Money raised in memory of a veteran taxi driver has been donated to a leukaemia sufferer determined to help other cancer victims.
Dorothy Quigley, whose husband Raymond died in a Sunderland street last year, handed over £560 to Rachael Dixon after being touched by her fight to help others.
The money was raised in Raymond's memory by Newcastle Hackney Drivers Association and a group dubbed The Lads from the Top End who were devastated by the death of the 72-year-old.
It will go in the pot to help Rachael, 13, pay for a caravan at Haggerston Castle, Northumberland, where sick children can go for a break during cancer treatment.
Mum Gail Dixon, 38, said: "We were really touched by Dorothy's donation. My husband spoke to her to say thanks and she said that Raymond would be over the moon that it is going to a good cause.
"For them to still think of us after everything they have been through is really nice."
Mr Quigley, of Nursery Lane, Gateshead, was found lying in the middle of Beechbrooke Road, Ryhope, on September 2 last year after an alleged assault. He later died in Sunderland Royal Hospital.The grandfather-of-six had been married to wife Dorothy since 1958 and they had four children.
Described by his wife as an honest, upright, mild and unassuming man, Mr Quigley was a keen and talented footballer in his younger years.
He was a lifelong Sunderland fan and regularly took his sons to matches at the old Roker Park.
Gail, whose husband Peter knows Mr Quigley's son Danny, added: "The money will really help Rachael to reach her goal.
"Everyone has been great with donations and we've also just had a donation from staff at gentoo who did the Boxing Day Dip.
"It will take time to get the full amount, but she will get there. She's always thinking of new things to raise money."
The caravan is the latest fund-raising project by the Venerable Bede School pupil who has so far raised more than £30,000 for charity.
In the past, her efforts have helped pay for items such as DVDs, board games, craft items and TVs so that sick children on Ward 16 at Newcastle RVI don't get bored.Despite still undergoing cancer treatment herself, the teenager, of The Westlands, in High Barnes, Sunderland, is still determined to raise enough for her latest venture.
Rachael's treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia - which she was diagnosed with in February 2006 - is going well and is due to finish in July.
Dale Patterson, 18, denied killing Mr Quigley when he appeared before Newcastle Crown Court yesterday.
Patterson, of Manila Street, Hendon, also pleaded not guilty to a charge of making off without payment.
He was released on conditional bail and will stand trial at Newcastle Crown Court on August 11.
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