RESIDENTS are win the chance of getting their hands on one of Sting’s signed guitars or winning a business-class return flight to Thailand, all whilst raise money for life-saving research.
Four friends from Kingsclere whose lives have all been touched by cancer, are holding a silent auction to support Cancer Research UK and hope to raise £30,000 so that more people can beat the disease.
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Sean Cleghorn, 56, who lost his wife Allison last year, just four weeks after she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, is one of the organisers.
He said: “All of us are conscious that we want to give everyone diagnosed with cancer a chance to survive.
“Sadly, that wasn’t the case for my wife but the more we can raise, the more we can help research into all cancers but particularly cancers with the lower survival rates like pancreatic.”
In addition to the signed guitar and flights, bidders can also get their hands on a three-night caravan holiday, international rugby tickets, golf packages, a Boeing flight simulator experience, a Land Rover driving experience, a Christmas tour of Highclere Castle, gym memberships and many more.
The auction is online and open to everyone but will also support a sold-out ball and gala dinner being held on Friday, September 2 at Sandford Springs Hotel and Golf Club, which was the brainchild of Beccy Preston, 38 and cancer survivors Mandy Keable, 45, and Claire Ellis, 39.
Mum of three, Mandy said: “In June 2019 I was diagnosed with breast cancer after finding a lump and I was terrified. I had two operations as well as chemotherapy and radiotherapy and I closely followed the amazing work Cancer Research UK carries out.
“I saw their progress with treatments which are improving all the time and I want us to raise as much money as possible to ensure there are more families out there who get a second chance like we have.”
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Meanwhile Beccy’s family carries the faulty BRCA gene which increases their chance of developing breast, ovarian, pancreatic and prostate cancer.
She said: “We have lost family members because of this gene and one of my cousins who is my inspiration, has been diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer.
“I’ve been on my own journey due to my faulty BRCA gene and worry that my own children will carry it and face this risk. I hope that diagnosis, treatment and cures for cancer are even better for their generation.”
Claire is also heavily involved in the planning of the ball and auction after her own diagnosis of stage 3 bowel cancer. She was encouraged to get her symptoms of digestive pain checked out by her friend Vicki, shortly before she passed away from ovarian cancer.
She said: “The last time I saw her, she urged me to go back to my GP to chase a diagnosis. Following chemo and surgery, I am now well and keen to raise funds for the incredible scientists who are our best hope of stopping this disease in its tracks.”
The four friends who founded the Kingsclere Cancer Research Fundraiser (KCRF) hope people will join them in supporting Cancer Research UK’s scientists, doctors and nurses find better and kinder treatments by bidding at jumblebee.co.uk/kingsclerecancerresearchfundraiser.
People have until 21:30 on September 2 to submit their bids.
Tom Wright, Cancer Research UK fundraising spokesperson for Hampshire, added: “Sean, Beccy, Claire and Mandy are an absolute inspiration and we can’t thank them enough for playing their part in helping to beat cancer. It’s going to be a fantastic event with some phenomenal prizes.
“Cancer survival in the UK has doubled since the early 1970s and Cancer Research UK’s work has been at the heart of that progress. However, we have only been able to achieve this thanks to the dedication and generosity of volunteers and supporters like the Kingsclere Cancer Research Fundraisers without whom we would not be able to fund outstanding scientists, doctors and nurses.
“One in two of us will get cancer in our lifetime. All of us can support the research that will beat it.”
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