Memorial service held to remember Peterborough fundraising hero
A memorial service was held on Thursday to remember a much loved woman who helped raise a million pounds for Cancer Research UK.
Annette Beeton was a theatre sister, a beloved mum and a charity fundraiser who dedicated her life to helping others.
She had been living with vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s and sadly passed away at home surrounded by family on January 8. She was 84.
Annette was perhaps best known for her role in The Burghley Park and Peterborough Ladies group, which she joined more than 40 years ago – a lunch club that organises fundraising events for CRUK. Five years later she was appointed chairman – a role which she remained in for an impressive 25 years before retiring in 2021.
A memorial service for Annette took place at St Martin’s Church in Stamford at on Thursday (February 5) with friends and family joining together to say a fond final farewell to Annette.
Following her sad death, her daughter Sandra said: “She was just an extraordinary lady – and would do anything for anybody. How she had time to do everything that she did, I still don’t know.
“As a mum she was always really supportive of Claire and I, and would follow us around to our various hobbies, whether it was ice-skating, tennis, or the horses.
“So many people loved her and have wonderful memories of her. She was a phenomenal host, a fabulous cook and her dinner parties were legendary. She loved bringing people together.”
Ann Hanson, chair of Burghley Park and Peterborough Ladies added: “I have known Annette Beeton for over 20 years, in all that time her strong motivation, and driving force, was to raise as much money for Cancer Research as possible.
“It was because of Annette, and her determination, that all monies raised by the Ladies have always gone, and will continue to go, to the Scientists who work at The Cancer Research Institute in Cambridge. To date we have donated over £1.5 million - an achievement of which we are all extremely proud.
“I took over from Annette four years ago when she decided that due to ill health it was time for her to stand down. She has been a hard act to follow and will be sadly missed by us all.”