A WOODLEY charity that helps breast cancer patients by providing care packages has received a covid grant from the John Sykes Foundation.
Chemogiftbags applied for the cash boost to help provide supplies for items to go into their gift bags, including stuffing for heart shaped cushions, which help relieve some discomfort after surgery and while having chemotherapy, word search books that occupy the long hours of treatment, and wool for their blankets.
The charity aims to bring some hope and positivity to people going through the chemotherapy due to breast cancer.
Lynne Shipton, the charity’s founder, said: “Our bags provide support in so many ways.
“Whether it be a financial aspect as our bags are valued at £100 and at such times when having treatment for cancer it can become a costly time.
“So we have taken some of that financial burden away by providing items that they will need whist undergoing chemo.”
She continued: “They educate, as the bags let people know what they might use, they also relieve some of the anxiety as we have provided a bag full of products so there is no need to be thinking what is required, we have done the thinking for them.”
And there is a practical aspect to the bags, which Ms Shipton says are “individually packed with love”
“It’s about offering support through our Chemogiftbags to breast cancer patients,” she added. “When they receive our bags, many patients are overwhelmed that we have taken the trouble and thought about what others need for their treatment.
“It’s also the fact that many of us have been there and so many people send messages saying I wish we had this back when I had my chemo it would have made such a difference.”
John Sykes, the founder and chair of trustees at the John Sykes Foundation, visited Ms Shipton and Stephen Newport, a trustee and treasurer at Chemogiftbags, to present the grant.
“I have seen first-hand the ideas, energy, and commitment of Lynne and her team at Chemogiftbags to reach more people who are experiencing Chemotherapy treatment for Breast Cancer,” Mr Sykes said.
“To be able to provide a donation of £1,000 to continue their passion is very exciting and a real honour.
“We look forward to a long-lasting relationship and seeing how the charity evolves in the coming years.”
For more information on Chemogiftbags, or to find out how to request a bag, visit: www.chemogiftbags.org
To find out more about John Sykes Foundation’s grants, visit: www.johnsykesfoundation.org
