Norfolk and Waveney’s cancer charity, Big C, has received a £5,000 donation to their Nearer to Home Appeal from the family of an inspirational young woman who battled cancer for five years.
Rachel Lane was just 27 when she lost her life to cancer in October 2012. Her courage during her treatment and throughout her cancer journey inspired many people. Rachel was one of the 2012 Olympic torch bearers and raised thousands of pounds for charity. The Rachel Lane fund ensures her good work continues.
Big C’s Nearer to Home Appeal is looking to raise £500,000 to create a state-of-the-art cancer support centre in the heart of the Norwich community. The new facility will complement the charity’s existing acute support centre in the grounds of the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH).
Amanda Lansom from The Rachel Lane Fund said, “I’ve seen first-hand the difference a Big C Centre makes from when my sister Rachel was going through breast cancer. I know Rachel felt so lucky to have a centre on her door step to provide the support she needed during her battle against cancer, which is exactly why my family and I feel so strongly about making the donation to Big C’s Appeal…for a centre to be available in the heart of Norwich.” Amanda added, “We would encourage anyone around the Norwich area who can, to donate towards making the Norwich Big C centre a reality.”
The new Norwich Big C centre will be pioneering in its vision to offer outstanding cancer care and support, closer to where people live in a welcoming environment away from the medical surroundings of the hospital. Some new features of the Big C centre will include a bright space for gentle exercise classes, a large workshop kitchen to enable food and nutrition demonstrations, a light and calm central seating area, private rooms for one-to-one counselling and a sensory wellbeing garden.
Dr Chris Bushby, Chief Executive at Big C said, “We are enormously grateful and humbled that Rachel’s family has chosen to donate such a significant amount to our Nearer to Home Appeal. It seems very fitting that a fund which honours Rachel’s life and courage during her cancer journey, will be used to help create something so special and important for those affected by cancer in our local community.”
Claire Cullens, Chief Executive Office of Norfolk Community Foundation, which manages The Rachel Lane Fund, said, “Norfolk Community Foundation is pleased to be working with The Rachel Lane Fund in supporting Big C.”
Every pound donated to the appeal will go directly to the build and development of this vital new centre to support local people, with the aim to open in early 2020.
Donate to Big C’s Nearer to Home Appeal online at nearertohome.co.uk or donate £10 by texting BIGC to 70191. Alternatively, cheques made payable to Big C (Ref. Nearer to Home) can be sent to: Big C, Centrum, Norwich Research Park, Colney Lane, Norwich, N74 7UG.
