A fundraising challenge aimed at keeping people connected at a time when we must keep distant, is raising money for the Cancer Wellbeing Service at Peterborough City Hospital.
Susan Cooper, who was diagnosed with Cancer in 2017, has been keeping a group of friends she made during her time accessing the Cancer Wellbeing Service, entertained with a variety of fancy dress outfits. It has been a way of keeping the group connected throughout the period of isolation.
The group met at a mosaic class at the service, delivered by professional artist and volunteer, Mary Green. During these sessions, the group decided that they wanted to create pieces of artwork for the centre’s garden.
Susan explained, “The garden needed restoration and with the help of donated plants and the work of a volunteer gardener, Jenny Grainger, the garden is becoming a beautiful, restful place. “Although the art work has stopped at present, due to Covid restrictions, now is a good opportunity to raise money towards art materials and a fence to protect the hours of therapeutic art work that has been invested for the future enjoyment of clients who attend the Cancer Well-Being Service.”
The support of the Garden Project Fundraising is invaluable for the Cancer Wellbeing Service, enabling them to provide a tranquil and safe outdoor space for patients to enjoy.
Lisa Deacon, Macmillan Cancer Wellbeing Service Manager, said, “Susan has been an inspiration to the Cancer Wellbeing Service, as part of the mosaic art group she has produced some beautiful pieces of work that will go into the garden for others to enjoy. During lock down she has kept her fellow group members entertained through her imaginative fancy dress photos. The CWS Garden project was started by our volunteer Mary Green who wanted to provide an area for reflection and support, in what was once a neglected plot.”
As well as Susan’s fantastic fancy dress lockdown fundraiser, she was also part of a local community group in Hampton, which hosted events for the community. This group ceased existence a couple of years ago, and members have agreed to donate the residual £4,093.47 to North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust: £3,000 will be donated to the hospital, helping to support the Trust’s staff health and wellbeing and £1093.47 to the garden fund, which is a great contribution to the £4000 Garden Project target.
You can support Susan’s fundraising by visiting her JustGiving page:
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/cancerwellbeinggardenproject
