Every donation represents a significant boost to our fundraising effort and will help us continue to provide the best services possible, free to those who need us. We use all monies raised very carefully to help people with cancer, their families and their carers in the local area.

So a BIG “Thank You” goes to………

An enormous thank you and well done to the pupils of Ellel St John's Primary School. The boys and girls of Ellel School raised a staggering £603 taking part in CancerCare sponsored read-a-thon 'The Big Book Bonanza'. The children raised the money by asking their family and friends to sponsor them to read their favorite books as much as possible. CancerCare would like to say a special well done to the children who raised the most money.

A massive thank you to the 'Blue Ribbons' from Lancaster Girls Grammar School. The girls took part in our Challenge 25 scheme and raised a fantastic £529.95. With a number of ingenious fundraising ideas over a 3 month period the girls raised the money starting with only £25. Well done girls. x

Thank you to Mr Wilkinson for his generous donation of £645 from his Birthday Party on 12th March 2012

Many thanks to Kendal South Westmorland Rotary for nominating CancerCare to benefit from their Christmas collection and trolley dash at Morrisons Supermarket, Kendal on 15th,16th & 17th December 2011. They raised a fantastic £1000. A special thank you from Lynne and Jane to the Rotary for their hospitality and wonderful meal on Tuesday 20th March at the Rotary meeting at the Gilpin Bridge Inn.

After many setbacks, Wednesday, 23rd November saw the long awaited official opening of CancerCare’s Summer House at Slynedales.

CancerCare would like to pay a special thank you to Underley Garden School for the foundations, Lancaster and District Co-Operative Society for funding, Bookers Cash and Carry and the Lancaster Beekeepers Association for the Observation Hive. Carol from the Green Rooms kindly organised a second hand book sale and raised £100, the proceeds from this went towards the replacement summer house and CancerCare’s very own Philippa Merriman and Den Bray for overseeing the project. Also, to all those people who kindly sent in donations after hearing that our original summerhouse had been stolen.

The summer house will bring so much pleasure to all our clients. "Many people at CancerCare enjoy watching and hearing about what the bees are doing. There's something very reassuring about knowing that life goes on." Philippa Merriman, Creative and Group Therapist.

A big "Thank you" also to Margaret Goodridge

Margaret Goodridge is a needlewoman with a mission - her fabric and thread skills support our work.

Former infant head teacher Margaret also knows the value of CancerCare. When diagnosed with breast cancer (now successfully treated) she joined our craft group, and found it very helpful to spend time in a supportive setting.

She now expresses her thanks by making beautiful things to sell. Her creations include vibrant pinnies, chintzy tea-cosies, enchanting dolls and beaded silk lav­ender bags in rich jewel shades. She has a wonderful eye for colours, and loves searching out scraps of ribbon or braid from her “stash” to provide a decorative flourish. Margaret also works with knitting enthusiast Freda Smith, putting the finishing touches to jolly knitted cupcakes and other woolly treats.

Sales of these unique items fund therapy places for other clients who need our support. We are deeply grateful to Margaret and Freda and many other creative supporters for their generous help.