Cancer support charity thanks A&T readers for financial lifeline

A&T READERS have been thanked by the Forca cancer charity for their generosity worth thousands of pounds after an appeal to help keep its food service afloat.

The Lymington-based support group asked last year for financial assistance to save its Nourish project which provides healthy frozen meals for patients at Lymington New Forest Hospital and day centre users at Oakhaven Hospice.

Since the appeal featured in the A&T in October more than £5,000 has come in through gifts and fundraising events.

“We are very grateful for all the support and would like to thank everyone who has helped so far,” said Frauke Taylor, chair of Forca.

The extra cash has allowed the charity, whose food operation is in partnership with Oakhaven, to lift a temporary cap on the number of meals it can provide.

It means that for up to half a year longer it can continue to assist around 80 people and their families with about 400 meals a month.

The Nourish project was launched by a group of mums in 2016 who were inspired to take action after their friend, Carla Whitbread, was diagnosed with breast cancer. Since then it has raised £40,000 to fund its activities.

To sustain the operation in the long-term, the Força team has organised a programme of further fundraising events that will also give financial backing to its Support scheme, which provides post-mastectomy bras.

The next event is a wine-tasting and Nourish dinner on Thursday 26th March at the Coates Centre at Oakhaven Hospice, which will showcase the charity’s meals.

Limited tickets are available at £20 per head which includes glass of fizz, wine tasting, two-course dinner, glass of wine and coffee.

To find out more the Forca cancer charity email forcaagainstcancer@gmail.com or visit www.forcaagainstcancer.org.uk.

To donate online go to bit.ly/38wfCCE or send a cheque payable to ‘Força – strength against cancer’ to PO Box 435, Lymington, SO41 1EL.