In August 2014 before reaching my 39th birthday and starting 'My 40 challenges before reaching 40' I asked all my Facebook friends and family to suggest a charity for me to raise money for over the course of the year. I had three great suggestions and I decided to raise money for all of them. Each has its own story behind it.

My friend Bev Spencer kindly asked if I would raise money for Torbay Holiday Helpers Network (THHN).

Bev’s Story

When my daughter was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma at the age of 14 two years ago, we thought we’d beaten the ‘cancer battle’! Never did we think that I would be diagnosed 18 months later. I finished my main treatment, surgery, chemo and radiotherapy in March. I am on the road to recovery, but still very very tired and I don’t have a lot of energy to do anything much. 

Our Clic Sargent key worker at Derriford Hospital recognised that we could do with a break! We were referred to Luke at the Torbay Holiday Helpers Network (THHN) and were given a week’s holiday in the grounds of Buckfast Abbey this summer. 

St Petroc’s was a sanctuary, an oasis. A little bit of solitude in our very hectic world that is normally full of hospital appointments, scans and tests. I still can’t drive too far, so we didn’t stray far from the Abbey - choosing to walk the grounds or just while away an hour or two eating at the restaurant. Lovely boxes of fruit, veg, cakes and bread were left for us supplied by local businesses that support THHN and on arrival these are really appreciated.

I hope all the volunteers, fundraisers and businesses realise just what a difference their generosity makes to families like mine. 

Lovely memories to hold in our hearts and minds for a long time to come.

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.