Throughout March and April our supporter Suneith was busy selling raffle tickets around Frome.  Suneith had crafted a beautiful lamp which she decided to use as a raffle prize to raise money for PAC.  The draw took place on Monday 30 April and the lucky winner was Chris from Frome (pictured above). 

Many thanks to everyone who purchased tickets – the raffle raised a wonderful total of £534.00.  PAC would also like to thank Suneith for all of her hard work and dedication which made the raffle a success and Nick and Lesley at Fiat Lux.  Nick and Lesley kindly displayed the lamp in their window and sold tickets to their customers.

The money raised from this raffle will be used to provide counselling in Frome to adults affected or bereaved by cancer and other life threatening illnesses.

Kat Ellis and Sarah McCoy are planning to take part in a 60km walk across the South Downs to raise money for Positive Action on Cancer.  Both girls who are 30 decided to support PAC as Kat’s Mum is one of the PAC counsellors.    

The event takes place on 12 May and the girls are hoping to raise £1000.00 to support those affected by cancer and other life threatening illnesses.  If you would like to sponsor the girls for this amazing challenge visit their JustGiving page.

Best of luck to Kat and Sarah – we hope you enjoy the challenge and fingers crossed for kind weather and no sore feet.

We currently offer 60 counselling sessions each week for adults and children affected or bereaved by cancer and other life threatening illnesses.  Every session costs us £40 to deliver and the total service costs £12,500 each month.  During the financial year of 2011/2012 58% of our income was received from charitable trusts as a result of applications made to them.  This amount has fallen since the previous year when it was 66%.  We think this decline is due to less money being available from the trusts because of lower interest rates and more charities applying due to funding cuts elsewhere in the sector. 

We also raise money from community activities, donations from individuals and local companies.  We currently have three members of staff, 5 counsellors and works with a team of over 30 volunteers.

“Like all charities we are really starting to feel the pinch of recession” said Helen Kingston, Chair of our board of Trustees and a local GP.  “We know these are difficult times financially for everyone on both a personal and a business level.  The reality is that we are currently seeing our highest number of clients ever and our main source of income is decreasing.  The local community is marvellous at supporting our work but we are now faced with needing to secure more income to bridge the gap and the community alone can’t shoulder this burden.  We have spent the last few months reviewing our costs and trying to maximise our income.  Already we have made as many changes as possible but if we can’t find new sources of income we may be faced with cutting our services to ensure our future survival. 

As a GP I see first-hand the impact that cancer has on families and the emotional support and relief that PAC can offer.  Our service remains unique and in demand in the local area.  We are doing everything possible to avoid cutting our service and urge anyone who can help us (in any way, however small) to do so.  Our 2009 Listening Ear Appeal showed us how much everyone values and supports our work and the money raised has been used to deliver our service for the past two and half years but that pot needs to be constantly refilled”.

There are many ways in which you can support us – make a donation, organise a fundraising event, ask your company to offer support, ask your group or club to fundraise.  If you have any ideas or want to get in touch with us please call 01373 455255 or email fundraising@positiveactiononcancer.co.uk

Before running her first ever marathon Charlotte described why she wanted to support PAC.  “For me personally when I decided to run the Brighton Marathon, aside from having a moment of madness, there was no question about what charity I wanted to support.  PAC is a charity that is very close to my heart and one I feel very loyal too, this is undeniably because it was founded by my Mum, for which I am massively proud but also because it began in our home all those years back, and to see now how the charity has grown and taken shape over the years into the charity it is today, is fantastic.  Looking back on my own personal experience of my Mum’s cancer, I know I would have benefited from the services that PAC offer, and now I work professionally with people who have cancer, life threatening illnesses and their families, it’s comforting to know that charities like PAC exist that offer such well needed support.  There are many charities that do great work and are worthy of donations but it is small, local charities such as PAC that really need financial assistance to continue their vital work”. 

After finishing the event Charlotte told us that she was overwhelmed by the support and generous donations she had received.  Charlotte asked us to thank everyone who kindly sponsored her and helped her to raise over £1000 for PAC.  

If you would like to sponsor Charlotte click here.

We need volunteers to help us pack bags for the below shifts.  If you can help please get in touch with Kelly on 01373 455255 or email fundraising@positiveactiononcancer.co.uk Children are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult.  

Saturday 28 April

09.30 – 11.30

11.30 – 14.30

14.30 – 17.30