Fund-raising goes on in memory of Ann

Her husband Tony yesterday presented cheques worth more than £43,000 to fund cancer research and treatment.

Mr Rose, a Hove businessman, helped his wife raise nearly £300,000 for the Ann Rose Monte Cancer Challenge, which they founded after she became ill with breast cancer 12 years ago.

He took part in the Monte Carlo Rally with navigator Norman Baine in his classic MGB sports car to raise money.

Now they are planning to take on the Coupes des Alpes Rally to raise funds for The Martlets hospice in Hove, where Ann died in February.

Mr Rose said: "I missed this year's Monte Carlo Rally because Ann was very ill and had just gone into The Martlets.

"It relies almost entirely on fund-raising and the generosity of people. The staff there are wonderful and they kept Ann comfortable and made her last weeks so much easier.

"I wanted to do something in return to thank them for the care they gave to her."

The Coup des Alpes was a popular rally in the Fifties and Sixties and was once won by Pat Moss, sister of Grand Prix legend Sterling Moss.

It starts at Evian in Switzerland on June 14 and runs through the mountains during three days to end in St Tropez.

Money from sponsorship will go directly to the Martlets which needs to raise £2million a year to meet running costs.

Mr Rose has pledged that the work of the Monte Cancer Challenge team will continue as Ann wanted.

He has taken over as chairman of the charity and the team is planning future fund-raising events.

The first is the Monte Ball at the Grand Hotel, Brighton, on June 23.

Tickets are now available for the evening which will be compered by Lily Savage impersonator Helen Neeley.

Preparations are also underway for a Monte Fashion Show in November.

Money raised by the events will be divided between the Royal Marsden Hospital and the Institute for Cancer Research in Surrey, where Ann was treated.

Anyone who wants to sponsor Mr Rose in the rally or who wants tickets for the ball can call him on 01273 773417.