A VILLAGER who helped set up a fundraising group in her friend’s living room is being honoured as it celebrates raising £500,000 in 40 years.


Marjorie Chapman, 92, started organising charity events in aid of Cancer Research UK in 1972, after two people in Theydon Bois, where she lived, were diagnosed with the disease.

She is due to be presented with a commemorative cheque next month and a plaque will be fixed to the wall of one of the charity's research labs in honour of the group.


Richard Witney, 71, the group’s vice president, said Mrs Chapman, who lived in Heath Drive until recently, had been a “powerhouse” for the group. 

“She’s been full of energy, buzzing and wonderful,” he added. “She was out there with us at 88 and 89. She’s amazing.

“For a little village, we’ve raised an outstanding amount.

“All the money we’ve collected, apart from some on the London Underground, has come from people who’ve lived in Theydon Bois.”


Although she has taken a more back-seat role in the past few years, Mrs Chapman still takes an interest in the group, which she is president of.

Her son, Michael Chapman, 66, who is a verderer for Epping Forest and does charity work for St Clare Hospice, said she had been an inspiration.

“During the war, she was at Bletchley Park organising accommodation and was involved in the very early stages of the Citizens’ Advice Bureau,” he said.

“As soon as my parents’ moved to Theydon Bois at the end of the war, she got involved with the village societies and my father was involved with the Rural Preservation Society.

“That’s why I’ve ended up doing St Clare’s and being verderer of the forest.

“My mother is one of those people who can very nicely boss people around and get them to work.”


Mr Witney said the group’s success was down to its ability to adapt and villagers' generosity.


“Theydon Bois is very friendly and I think that helps, because friendly people tend to be happier and perhaps more generous,” he said.


“It’s not always been easy – when the Lottery was introduced in 1994, we felt a drop, as people who would have been walking into Tesco with a few pounds for a collection box were spending it on that.


“We have to recognise things change.”


He said the group, which meets about five times a year at Theydon Bois Village Hall, was in need of new, younger members.


Anyone interested in joining can call chairman Peter Parkin on 01277 363344.

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