Anyone who is thinking about fundraising or volunteering should just do it.
“When she attended the unit, she could be home within minutes to have a rest,” and it really brought it home to Jo what a fantastic option it is for people going through cancer. She was determined to do something to support the mobile unit where she was treated.
What followed was a year-long commitment by Jenny and Jo to raise as much money as possible through myriad fundraising events.
“We started in July 2024 with a target of £5,000, but after our first coffee morning raised £1,180, we began to think maybe we might be able to do better,” says Jenny.
There has been a fundraiser practically every month, including a fashion show that raised £1,800 and generated a waiting list for people who wanted to attend, as well as a craft market and an upcoming Singo Bingo, a musical spin on the traditional game.
They also raised £580 with a Cuppa for Cancer event, which is Hope for Tomorrow’s flagship fundraising campaign, launched in 2023 by TV presenter Gloria Hunniford.
It’s all pretty full on, but we have had the most tremendous support from everyone.
She and her friend Sue Matthews hold a light lunch in their village hall once a month with Sue making the soup and Jenny providing the cakes.
“We provide homemade soup, a bread roll and homemade cake and coffee for £6 and people love it. We have raised around £1,000 so far from that,” says Jenny
Her daughter Jo is awaiting reconstruction after her mastectomy but has managed to run a half-marathon to raise money.
“The encouragement and support we have had from local businesses who have sponsored our events has been phenomenal,” says Jenny.
“Everyone knows someone who has been touched by this dreadful disease and even though there’s so much pressure on people’s finances at the moment, we find they dig deep when they find out where the money is going.”
Jenny, 74 has had breast cancer herself in the past and came through it after undergoing a lumpectomy and radiotherapy.
“Just knowing we are doing something for the future to help people like Jo to be able to have their cancer treatment on a mobile unit keeps us focused,” says Jenny
“We saw first-hand what a difference these units make and although it’s a lot of work it’s also extremely rewarding. Our fundraising target now is £7,500 and we have hit £6,600 to date.
The final months of the year will see another fashion show, an Easter event and another coffee morning but even when the year is up Jenny and Jo are intending to carry on doing something for Hope for Tomorrow.
“It really gets under your skin when you get involved in something like this and anyone who is thinking about fundraising or volunteering should just do it. The satisfaction can’t be measured. It helps the charity and you get to meet lots of lovely people.
“Anyone can get cancer, we all need to do what we can to help those suffering now and, in the future,” says Jenny.
“No-one will ever regret getting involved, I am pretty sure of that and if I could sum it up in a few words I would say it’s fun and more rewarding than anyone can ever imagine.”
Anyone who is thinking about fundraising or volunteering should just do it.
“When she attended the unit, she could be home within minutes to have a rest,” and it really brought it home to Jo what a fantastic option it is for people going through cancer. She was determined to do something to support the mobile unit where she was treated.
What followed was a year-long commitment by Jenny and Jo to raise as much money as possible through myriad fundraising events.
“We started in July 2024 with a target of £5,000, but after our first coffee morning raised £1,180, we began to think maybe we might be able to do better,” says Jenny.
There has been a fundraiser practically every month, including a fashion show that raised £1,800 and generated a waiting list for people who wanted to attend, as well as a craft market and an upcoming Singo Bingo, a musical spin on the traditional game.
They also raised £580 with a Cuppa for Cancer event, which is Hope for Tomorrow’s flagship fundraising campaign, launched in 2023 by TV presenter Gloria Hunniford.
It’s all pretty full on, but we have had the most tremendous support from everyone.
She and her friend Sue Matthews hold a light lunch in their village hall once a month with Sue making the soup and Jenny providing the cakes.
“We provide homemade soup, a bread roll and homemade cake and coffee for £6 and people love it. We have raised around £1,000 so far from that,” says Jenny
Her daughter Jo is awaiting reconstruction after her mastectomy but has managed to run a half-marathon to raise money.
“The encouragement and support we have had from local businesses who have sponsored our events has been phenomenal,” says Jenny.
“Everyone knows someone who has been touched by this dreadful disease and even though there’s so much pressure on people’s finances at the moment, we find they dig deep when they find out where the money is going.”
Jenny, 74 has had breast cancer herself in the past and came through it after undergoing a lumpectomy and radiotherapy.
“Just knowing we are doing something for the future to help people like Jo to be able to have their cancer treatment on a mobile unit keeps us focused,” says Jenny
“We saw first-hand what a difference these units make and although it’s a lot of work it’s also extremely rewarding. Our fundraising target now is £7,500 and we have hit £6,600 to date.
The final months of the year will see another fashion show, an Easter event and another coffee morning but even when the year is up Jenny and Jo are intending to carry on doing something for Hope for Tomorrow.
“It really gets under your skin when you get involved in something like this and anyone who is thinking about fundraising or volunteering should just do it. The satisfaction can’t be measured. It helps the charity and you get to meet lots of lovely people.
“Anyone can get cancer, we all need to do what we can to help those suffering now and, in the future,” says Jenny.
“No-one will ever regret getting involved, I am pretty sure of that and if I could sum it up in a few words I would say it’s fun and more rewarding than anyone can ever imagine.”
