Maitland Cancer Appeal Committee Incorporated has much to celebrate next month.

Not only will the organisation mark its 40th birthday, with a special luncheon at Maitland City Bowling Club kicking off proceedings on 20 March, but the members are set to hand over a whopping $400,000 for research into the insidious disease.

The group was formed in April 1982 with the aim to start an Oncology Unit in the Hunter Valley.

And, this was accomplished due to the combined efforts of many sections of the community.

Ever since then, the Maitland Cancer Appeal Committee’s gone from strength-to-strength.

“It’s a special milestone for us,” president Ingrid Heyman said.

“We work for the ‘care, comfort and treatment of cancer patients’, so to be still here [today] after four decades shows we must be doing something right.

“The only sad aspect is we’ve lost the person who started it all, Alice Bennis, last year.

“She was a founding member alongside secretary Lesley Flannery and myself.

“Ironically, Alice was organising this event.

“So, it will be a nice way to acknowledge what she did for the organisation, too.

“We’re all looking forward to the luncheon as we’re expecting more than 100 people, who are past and present volunteers, as well as those behind the scenes, to attend.”

On 2 September, 1995, the Maitland Cancer Appeal Committee established its free “Home Laundry Linen Service”, which is the group’s main breadwinner these days.

It’s due to this success, and that of the Craft and Op Shop at Rutherford, the members will make such a generous donation to four professors on 20 March.

“All money raised by the committee must be used by researchers residing in the Hunter Valley,” Ms Heyman said.

“So, each one will receive $100,000, to go towards their respective fields.

“From 2000 to 2021, we’ve given away approximately $1.7 million to cancer research.

“With the $400,000 (on 20 March), that will take the total past the $2 million mark.

“I think it’s an achievement we can all be very proud of.

“Our first big donation was a linear machine at the Calvary Mater Hospital in Newcastle.

“We were doing lots of activities to raise money back then.

“Now, it’s primarily the shop, which funds everything.

“We’re just volunteers, so hopefully this latest financial contribution will go a long way towards finding a cure.”

There’s no time to rest for the Maitland Cancer Appeal Committee either but, thankfully, they’re supported by a hearty bunch of helpers.

“The Craft and Op Shop opens Monday to Friday, while we maintain the linen service to keep it free of charge for the terminally-ill,” Ms Heyman said.

“We also purchased a van, with the drivers in action three days a week.

“But, to achieve all of this, we rely heavily on our volunteers who give hours and hours of their time.

“We couldn’t do [it] without them.

“In fact, I’m always praising our lovely assistants.

“So, we’re recognising them well and truly at our 40th.

“It’s hard work, so we appreciate everything they do here.

“The community’s support has been fantastic, too.

“A lot of people donate money towards the committee’s cause.

Get all the latest Newcastle news, sport, entertainment, lifestyle, competitions and more delivered straight to your inbox with the Newcastle Weekly Daily Newsletter. Sign up here.