Bearwood community gets to its feet for Lynzie
THREE years after her death at the age of just 38, friends and neighbours of Bearwood care worker Lynzie Holloway continue to celebrate her life by raising money for other cancer patients – this time with a sponsored walk.
Lynzie was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014 and underwent surgery followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy, before receiving the all-clear in 2015.
But when she later returned to hospital for reconstructive surgery, her cancer was found to have spread.
Lynzie Holloway
She died just in 2016, just six weeks after learning her condition was terminal.
Since her death, Lynzie’s friends at Bearwood Social Club have staged an annual fundraiser in her honour, with all proceeds going to Dorset Cancer Care Foundation (DCCF), the local charity which helped her when she was going through treatment.
Social Club member and DCCF fundraiser Gwen Dale said: “Lynzie may have left us, but her legacy lives on in the lovely events and celebrations we hold in her name.
“This year we decided to hold a sponsored walk around Canford Heath Sang and people came out in their droves, raising a total of £638.”
Gwen added: “Lynzie was a ray of sunshine and would have been one of the first people to get her trainers on and walk for a good cause.
“I know she would have been pleased as punch to see everyone enjoying a lovely walk and helping other people with cancer in her honour.”
DCCF gives financial assistance to Dorset cancer patients to help pay for anything from household costs, to special equipment and much needed short breaks.
Bearwood Social Club has raised thousands of pounds for DCCF to date through a community barbecue, a Family Day and even a sponsored beard growing.
Its latest donation will go to DCCF’s High Five campaign which is encouraging people to donate a fiver to help raise £250,000 for grants for Dorset cancer patients in 2019/20.
Eve Went, founder of DCCF said: “The Bearwood Social Club members are a fabulous bunch of people who are remembering their lovely Lynzie in the most giving way possible – by helping other local people with cancer.
“We are extremely grateful for their continuing support.”
People can donate to the DCCF High Five campaign online at: https://www.justgiving.com
DCCF would like to hear from Dorset cancer patients who might need its support. An application is simple and if successful, financial help is available very quickly. Details of how to apply for grants and become a supporter of DCCF can be found here.
