All for the love of Maggie's cancer care centre

Maggie's Fundraising Group (left to right) Jo Taylor, Jane Beswick, Sharon Livesey, Sara-Jane Etchells, Pippa Bamford, Helen Haigh, Deborah Howarth, Laura Tomlinson, who is Maggie's Oldham fundraising manager

Inspirational women, including cancer survivors and those battling the disease, have joined together to form a new fundraising group dedicated to supporting Maggie's, which is set to open in the grounds of the Royal Oldham Hospital in June.

The group of passionate fundraisers will meet regularly to organise events over the year to raise money for the new cancer care centre.

Planning is in full swing for the first event, a Lucy Cobb Fashion Show and afternoon tea at Friezland Church Hall on April 22, and tickets available now.

In this feature each of the fundraisers explain why they were so keen to get behind the charity and join the group.

Jane Beswick - chairman

Jane, from Grotton, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2013 and was treated at the Royal Oldham with surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

She said: "When I was undergoing treatment I'd heard of Maggie's centres and looked for one but there wasn't one nearby. After I'd recovered I heard that a centre was opening at The Christie in Manchester, so I began volunteering there. I've seen first-hand what an amazing effect coming to Maggie's for practical and emotional support can have on patients and their families.

"Each centre is a little haven from the outside world, a place where visitors are made to feel welcome and supported. It's so lovely to hear people feel a weight has been taken off their shoulders just by being able to talk to someone who 'gets' it.

"I find it incredibly rewarding to be able to help our visitors, even if it's only to feel their not alone. Sometimes sitting down with a cup of tea and a chat is all you need to make it through another day."

Alongside her work with the group, Jane is also planning to walk about 80km along an unrestored section of the Great Wall of China in October as part of a charity challenge.



Pippa Bamford - Secretary

Pippa, a born-and-bred Oldhamer, is a mouth cancer survivor and says being the secretary of the committee is a "privilege".

She said: "Since my own brush with cancer over nine years ago, I've had a renewed lust for life. I've been on four TV shows including Total Wipeout, fulfilled a long-held ambition to perform on stage and I packed in my job as a primary teacher and became a foster carer, one of the best decisions of my life.

"Best of all, I married my partner of 12 years, Helen Haigh, who is also on this committee. Together we foster two young siblings on a long-term basis.

"We think Maggie's Oldham is going to be a wonderful place and are sure many people will benefit from it being right next to the hospital and the Victoria Breast Care Unit."



Sara Jane Etchells

Sara was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer at the end of 2011 and had an immediate mastectomy, a mastopexy, full lymph node clearance followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy in 2012.

She said: "My family supported me throughout and my then six-year-old daughter shaved my head which resulted in a massive YouTube online hit. This was my first foray into raising money for cancer through the SaraLola fundraising campaign.

"I heard about the fashion show for Maggie's in Manchester and together with my daughter Lola took part with 49 other brilliant models.

"Maggie's is an amazing, beautiful and serene place. Anyone affected by cancer can use the centre and now Oldham will have its own we are thrilled.

"To be involved at this early stage is an honour and everyone is working hard to promote Maggie's with Laura as our wonderful fundraising manager."



Deborah Howarth

Deborah (45), a mum-of-two from Rochdale, modelled as part of a fashion show to raise money for Maggie's Manchester, and says she was instantly impressed with the charity and the centre.

She said: "Our rehearsals were held at Maggie's and I soon realised what a calm and relaxed yet informative place this it was.

"As soon as I heard about the new Maggie's opening in Oldham, I was keen to get involved with the fundraising. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012 and remember the feeling as I walked out of the room after being told.

"So many questions, thoughts and feelings raced through my heartbroken mind. I had a double mastectomy, and I was desperate to talk to other ladies who had had this operation.

"I wanted to talk, but I didn't know who I could talk to. I was lonely and sometimes I just wanted a cup of tea and a chat."

Deborah, head of department (food preparation and nutrition) at Oldham Hulme Grammar School, is also organising a dinner at the school in May in aid of Maggie's Manchester, with the menu cooked by pupils who were MasterChef champions in a competition held at school.



Sharon Livesey

Sharon (38), from Derker is a hairstylist spent all of last year taking on 35 events, including triathlons, runs and open-water swims, in aid of Maggie's Oldham, collecting more than £2,000.

She said: "I first heard about Maggie's in the Oldham Chronicle and decided to make that my local charity of the year.

"There are so many charities out there but there's something a bit different about Maggie's centres and I really feel how important the centres are to so many people.

"For Oldham to have its own Maggie's centre this year will be amazing.

"I love being part of the group. It's hard work but so rewarding when things come together."

She added that this year she is focused on taking on the Ironman UK, a long-distance triathlon consisting on a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile cycle and a 26.2-mile swim to be completed in under 17 hours.



Jo Taylor
Jo (48), from Diggle, is a secondary breast cancer patient and has been treated for the last three years at the Christie.

Jo, who also runs a supportive website and social media for people diagnosed with breast cancer called After Breast Cancer Diagnosis (www.abcdiagnosis.co.uk), said: "I've used Maggie's Manchester lots while waiting for treatment or delays or just dropping in for a cup of tea or a lovely lunch and beautiful quiet surroundings. The people are warm and welcoming and leave you to do whatever but there for support and guidance if needed.

"Due to seeing what they provide at Maggie's Manchester I wanted to help somehow with organisation and support fund raising and ideas for the Oldham centre.

"I see what they do and like the ethos behind Maggie's. If people want to know more they could call into the Manchester centre or talk to one of us or Laura the centre manager to find out more."