A garden full of gnomes has been delighting visitors to a North Yorkshire village - while raising awareness of a poignant fundraising campaign for a charity supporting a man with terminal cancer.
Tracy Bowe, a postie of Leyburn Road, Middleham, in Wensleydale, is planning to celebrate her 50th birthday by taking part in a sponsored parachute jump for Macmillan Cancer Support.
The charity has been supporting her brother Paul Tweddle, 45, of Darlington, who was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer two years ago.
People are invited into Tracy's garden to take selfies or pictures of the dozens of gnomes for a small donation.
Tracy, who has teamed up with her sister Leanne O’Brien, 42, of Darlington, said: “The fundraising campaign is in aid of MacMillan Cancer Support for my brother, Paul, who was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer at the age of 43 in 2021.
“He was given six to 12 months to live. I am so happy to say Paul is still walking, talking and aggravating! He's living with cancer not dying from it.
"Macmillan have been vital to Paul, supporting him every step throughout his rollercoaster journey. My sister and I decided we cannot do anything to change Paul’s outcome, but what we can support the charity that is supporting him."
Tracy and Leanne, who is also a postie, completed the Great North Run in 2022, raising over £9,000 for Macmillan.
She added: “This year I turn 50 and Macmillan holds a skydive called Jump of their Lives, which is incorporated with the York Races.
“There are only so many people who can do this jump so I badgered Macmillan to take part and learned in January I had been successful.
“I am now in midst of fundraising for Macmillan and had to raise a minimum of £1,800 to be able to do this jump.
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“The gnomes are stood in my garden and a lot of people stop to admire them. It makes people smile as they walk past.
"So we decided to put a poster up outside, telling people what I am doing and inviting them to come in and take selfies or pictures for a small donation.
“We have raised £173 over the summer through the gnomes. And on Middleham Open Day this last weekend alone we raised £37. It’s a little gimmick to help fundraising.”
Paul, who used to work as a building contractor, before he took ill.
Leanne is taking part in the Yorkshire Marathon in York in October, in aid of Mcmillan Cancer Support.
Tracy has raised £2,365 so far. To donate to Tracy's Just Giving page click here. visit JustGiving https://www.justgiving.com/page/tracybowe.
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