The Brize Norton 'Curry King'   An RAF Brize Norton officer who has raised about £100,000 for cancer research since his mother died from the disease is planning his biggest fundraiser yet reports Oxford Mail. Barry Jessel is organising Oxfordshire's first Relay For Life, in Witney, in 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 the west Oxfordshire airbase. He says cooking helps him unwind after a demanding day on duty. The "Curry King" of Brize Norton also sees it as a major fundraising opportunity. Last year he staged 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 don't intend to open my own restaurant, but it's a fantastic way of getting release from the day job. "I do up to 10 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 masterminding Brize Norton's takeover of air transport and refuelling work from RAF Lyneham, in Wiltshire, and handling a new generation of aircraft. He is also committee chairman of the Relay For Life Witney. The event, which he hopes will attract big crowds, 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 and at midnight a poignant Candle of Hope Ceremony will be held in honour of those affected by the disease. Mr Jessop 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 to find out more about the event, email relayforlife@hotmail.co.uk or contact Mr Jessel on 07968 257903.