Family, friends, colleagues, and all you lovely supporters.

Most of you may know my life story so I apologise for repeating, but for those that don’t I’m here to provide some context. I was only 14 when I first found out that my mum had cancer, it shook my world and although physically it wasn’t affecting me, it shaped me for life. However, thanks to the NHS we were lucky enough to have her come out the other side for a few years but unfortunately the journey was beginning again, and I lost her 2 months after I turned 20. To say because of those events I am a different person entirely would be an understatement and since then I’ve suffered with health anxiety.

In the early part of 2022 I was mentally going through a rough patch and a conversation arose about the things I felt I missed out on in my life, maybe due to either being a carer for my mum or my anxiety stopping me or things. Off the back of that, I decided to make it my mission to make up for lost time/things to achieve in my 30’s and I made an ‘Alphabet list’ this has a task/place/goal for each letter of the Alphabet and for years I’ve wanted to do a Strictly come dancing style dance.

Fate aligned when someone I knew was partaking in the event and I immediately reached out to the organisation to find out more and after a chai latte and an exciting long chat Claire sold me the dream of the Teen’s Unite Strictly Ball and I immediately signed myself up. Although I am terrified, it’s everything I am passionate about, dancing, raising money for charity and pushing my mental limits to overcome my fears! So December 2023 at age 30 I will be able to tick off one of my goals in-front of 500 people at the Grosvenor House in hopefully a sparkly outfit!

I can’t begin to imagine myself going through what my mum and so many others have gone through and what these teenagers and their families must endure physically and mentally, but thanks to an amazing charity like Teen’s Unite who supports young people fighting
cancer to live more than just a ‘normal’ life, they go above and beyond to build these young people’s confidence and hope for the future and I hope I can play a little part in that too.

I have a minimum target of £3000 to raise and if you can share this JustGiving page to as many people or donate any amount big or small, I am beyond grateful. Thank you for taking the time to read (and for those who wish to attend the strictly ball, please personally reach out to me so I can give you the information)

Love Cydney x

Teens Unite supports young people fighting cancer to live their best life, while others search for a cure. We inspire young people to recognise their potential now and in the future and empower them to live every moment to the full. When you're faced with cancer, plenty of people will tell you what you can't do, but we show these young people what they can do; not letting the 'c' word hold them back or define who they are.