'Curry king' plans top event in Witney (From Witney Gazette)

'Curry king' plans top event in Witney

8:15am Friday 11th January 2008 in Witney By David Horne

THE 'curry king' of Brize Norton, who has raised about £100,000 for cancer research since his mother died from the disease, is planning his biggest fundraiser yet.

Air force man Barry Jessel is the main man organising Oxfordshire's first Relay For Life, in Witney, this June.

"I am looking at raising £50,000 from this, and to make it one of Oxfordshire's big events of the year," he said.

Mr Jessel is a squadron leader at RAF Brize Norton. It is a demanding job, and the way he destresses when he gets home is through cooking.

The 'curry king' of Brize Norton also sees it as a major way of fundraising.

This year, he put on two cookery demonstrations at the base's officers' and sergeants' messes, and brought in £6,500 for Cancer Research UK.

"I love cooking, it's a hobby gone mad," he said. "I do not intend to open my own restaurant, but it is a fantastic way of getting release from the day job.

"I do up to ten curries for the demos, but I also do Italian and Spanish. Everything goes for cancer fundraising."

His mother died from cancer in 1993, and he also has a friend whose son was diagnosed with leukaemia.

He was determined to do something to help, and over the past 14 years, has chalked up about £100,000 through cooking and other sponsored events.

Mr Jessel is one of the lead project managers for CATARA - the Centralisation of Air Transport and Air Refuelling Assets.

The work involves masterminding the West Oxfordshire base's takeover of the role of RAF Lyneham, in Wiltshire, and a new generation of aircraft.

But he is now also the chairman of the Relay For Life Witney committee, which will be held at the West Witney sports ground over the weekend of June 28 and 29.

Teams are being invited to take part in a 24-hour marathon round a track, either walking, running, skipping, or even crawling. There will also be a lap of honour for cancer survivors, while at midnight, a poignant Candle of Hope Ceremony will be held in honour of those affected by the disease.

Mr Jessel added: "Taking part in Relay For Life Witney will require enthusiasm and commitment, but the rewards are immense, and the sense of achievement simply awesome."

Also involved in the event is Elena Mills, from Saffron Crescent, Carterton, who is a volunteer for the charity.

She said: "Barry has done a lot of fundraising, and, with him on board, I am sure this is going to be great success."

To enter or find out more about the event, simply e- mail: relayforlife@hotmail.co.uk, or contact Mr Jessel, on 07968 257903.