Christie Impact Report 2025

A peal with a purpose Last Christmas, Ryan Battersby, a bellringer with 22 years’ experience led a team of campanologists sharing festive cheer and raising vital funds for The Christie Charity in a truly unique way.

Ryan, Tower Captain at St Bartholomew’s Church in Westhoughton, arranged a Quarter Peal — which is approximately 50 minutes of continuous ringing! He says: “Together with my team of seven campanologists we rang in over 1,200 strokes on a near three-quarter tonne bell.” This demanding marathon, reserved for significant moments in bell-ringing tradition, was to raise money for The Christie Charity, following fellow bellringer Michelle Newsham’s treatment for breast cancer at The Christie last year. “It was a ‘thank you’ for the amazing care provided to her,” explains Ryan. “It is a cause very dear to our hearts.” The event attracted both the local community and bell-ringing enthusiasts nationwide — Ryan even dressed up as Santa for the occasion!

Thanks to Ryan and his fellow campanologist’s dedication, the ‘Christmas Quarter Peal for The Christie’ raised £6,563.60 for The Christie Charity’s Breast Cancer Research Fund — far exceeding the original £2,000 target.

RIGHT Ryan Battersby and Michelle Newsham, Christie Patient

14 The Christie Charity Impact Report 2024/25