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George Farquhar, who is also Labour councillor for Boscombe East and Pokesdown, will tackle the 13-mile event for The Dorset Cancer Care Foundation (DCCF).

He volunteered to fundraise for the small, local charity, after hearing about its work to help families suffering extreme financial hardship alongside a cancer diagnosis.

Councillor Farquhar, who is seldom seen without his faithful rescue greyhound Billy, will be Mayor by the time he laces up his trainers for the event next October.

He said: “This will be a big challenge for me, but I want to raise awareness and hopefully some money for this great local charity which is doing such valuable work in our communities.”

Having started running properly two years ago Councillor Farquhar trained ‘sensibly’ to get himself back to fitness through a couch to 5k programme.

Since then, he has taken part in the popular Bournemouth Park Run almost 40 times.

He said: “This year, I ran the Run Bournemouth Supersonic 10k for Macmillan Cancer Support, which was my most challenging run to date.

“The half marathon is a whole new level again. But I’ve started training and I’m looking forward to it.

“I will be charting my progress on Facebook and through a JustGiving page and I hope people will encourage me, give some money to support DCCF and maybe even sign up to run in an event for the charity too.”

Eve Went, co-founder of the DCCF said: “We were honoured when the Deputy Mayor attended our recent annual appreciation evening for our fundraisers. Apparently, he was so impressed by what he heard he wanted to help too and before we knew it, he had volunteered to run the half marathon for us. We were obviously thrilled to bits.

“He is such a whirlwind of positive energy, and we can’t wait to follow his progress and hope others will do so too. It’s truly wonderful to think that the Mayor of Bournemouth will be running for the DCCF next October and we hope others will follow his lead and run for us too.”

The DCCF will pay the registration of anyone wishing to take part in a Run Bournemouth event, in return for them raising sponsorship for the charity. For more details email Penny at: hello@dccf.co.uk

To read more about the Deputy Mayor’s training progress and to sponsor his run for The Dorset Cancer Care Foundation please click here.

A leukaemia sufferer who was struck down with Covid and spent five months in hospital is now fundraising for other Dorset cancer patients.

Nigel Phillips from Bournemouth went into the Royal Bournemouth Hospital for chemotherapy in February 2020. But after testing positive for coronavirus, his condition declined rapidly and he was transferred to intensive care, not expected to survive.

The 70-year-old grandfather said: “I eventually woke up, covered in tubes, not knowing what had happened to me. I learned I had recovered from Covid. But then, because of my chemotherapy-weakened immune system, over the coming months I went on to develop pneumonia and multiple infections.

“I was told the nurses often took it in turns to hold my hand during periods when I was unconscious.

“I’m so lucky to be alive.”

Nigel eventually left Bournemouth hospital five months after he had gone in, deeply grateful for the amazing care of the consultants, doctors and nurses of the NHS.

“When I left I was in a wheelchair and still unable to walk. The doctors and nurses clapped and cheered me out of the ward and I broke down.”

Nigel has Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), a group of conditions which causes bone marrow to make faulty blood cells. This developed into Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AMS), a cancer of the white blood cells.

The only way to remove MDS is through a successful bone marrow stem cell donor transplant.

Nigel was entered into the transplant programme and in 2022, he received a transplant at Southampton Hospital. But his trials weren’t over.

He said: “I had been on the Anthony Nolan donor register for three weeks when I heard I had been matched with a 24-year-old German man. It was incredible news.

“I had the transplant, which was a success. But the doctors warned me that I had been through World War One with the cancer and now I was going to go through World War Two following the transplant.

“I have had some terrible infections and long stays in hospital.

“But although my condition still challenges me, I feel I have had an amazing gift, and this, together with the work which went into saving my life here in Dorset, has made me determined to do all I can to help other people.”

He continued: “I have volunteered to test Covid treatments for cancer patients.

“Then, I heard about the work of the Dorset Cancer Care Foundation (DCCF) through a friend.”

The DCCF gives non-returnable cash grants to a growing number of Dorset people who have cancer and desperately need help to pay for costs including accommodation, bills, and childcare.

Nigel continued: “I was deeply impressed by how this small local charity and its supporters help local people with cancer to make it through often crippling financial struggles.

“I have been a member of the West Hants Club in Roslin Road South for over 20 years and have many friends there, many of whom, like me have experienced or are experiencing cancer.

“So, I approached the club, they gracefully agreed and I hosted one of the DCCF’s monthly fundraising coffee mornings here. With my fellow members’ support raised £478.

“I’m also now planning some events at Parkstone Yacht Club where I am a member.

“It’s deeply satisfying to know that all the money we raise will be going to Dorset families who really need it.”

Eve Went, co-founder of the DCCF said: “Nigel has been through a truly terrible experience and has thankfully come out of the other side. He is inspirational, and we are deeply grateful that he has chosen to support us in helping other Dorset people and their families who are going through their own gruelling cancer journeys.”

For details of how the DCCF can help you, or if you would like to find out how to fundraise for or support the charity, please visit: www.dccf.co.uk or email: hello@dccf.co.uk

“Alongside the money, just knowing that people I’ve never met were willing to help me, a complete stranger, was a huge boost emotionally when things felt very dire.” Alex Deeprose, 40, Poole.

Alex was diagnosed completely “out of the blue” with an aggressive form of renal cell cancer in January 2023.

One of his kidneys was removed and when lung metastasis was also discovered, Alex, who is a fraud investigator for an insurance company, entered into immunotherapy treatment which is still ongoing.

He said: “I was unable to work for five months, and it sounds strange, but because I had a treatment plan, paying the mortgage became more of worry than my potentially fatal cancer.”

His cancer support nurse suggested he apply for financial help from the DCCF.

“I was quite overwhelmed when I heard that the DCCF had awarded me some money. I really hadn’t expected it and the help it gave my wife and I to pay our mortgage was a huge weight off our shoulders.

“Alongside the money, just knowing that people I’ve never met were willing to help me, a complete stranger, was a huge boost emotionally when things felt very dire.”

Alex is now working from home and is responding well to treatment.

He said: “I would urge anyone with cancer who is struggling financially to contact the DCCF. It really is wonderful to know this charity is there to help people when they need it most.”

Be like Ollie and let us pay your registration today!

All we ask is that you donate your sponsorship money to help Dorset families with cancer.

Whether you fancy the 5k 10k or half marathon please join Ollie Payne and others who are running, walking or jogging for the @Dorset Cancer Care Foundation.

We are a small local charity which helps desperate families who are struggling financially because of cancer.

Ollie, 21, and from Bournemouth said: “I’ve always wanted to run the half marathon, so when I heard I could do it and help local people with cancer I signed straight up. Knowing I am running for the Dorset Cancer Care Foundation will really spur me on.”

For more details about how you, your family, friends or workmates can take part in Run Bournemouth with your registration paid by DCCF please email: hello@dccf.co.uk asap.

@DCCF Chairman Chris Thomas may not be in the UK for the @Run Bournemouth weekend this year, but that won’t stop him going the distance!

Chris will be running both 10k and 5k routes in Spain on exactly the same days and at exactly the same times that the events will be taking place here in Dorset.

Chris said: “I’ve been taking part in Run Bournemouth for the DCCF for many years now and love running with my fellow DCCF supporters. I will miss that sense of camaraderie this year, but I will be with them in spirit, and I hope others will see this post and sign up to run for the DCCF too. It’s not too late for us to pay your registration fee and the sponsorship money you raise for us will support some of the many local families who are struggling with severe financial hardship alongside a cancer diagnosis.”

Run Bournemouth takes place over the weekend of 7th-8th October with events ranging from 1k-13.1 miles. For details on how to have your Run Bournemouth event registration paid by the DCCF please email: hello@dccf.co.uk today!

After raising £1600 for The Dorset Cancer Care Foundation (DCCF) during their Charity Week, the intrepid pupils of Glenmoor & Winton Academies’ Ennis House have been in action again, raising £2770 by walking through the night.

Twenty students from across the year groups took part in a sponsored Walkathon, clocking up a total of 700 laps around the school field in seven hours between 5pm and midnight.

Amongst the pupils taking part was Tyler Adams, who alone walked 31 laps and raised £825.

Tyler, who is in year 10, lost his mum Jo to cancer in January 2022.

He said: “When my dad put a message out to our friends and family saying I was taking part I never thought people would give so much money. But the donations just kept on coming and coming.

“The Walkathon was tiring, but fun and I know my mum would have thought it was great we were all doing this for other local families experiencing cancer.”

The Dorset Cancer Care Foundation fundraises to provide much-needed financial support to Dorset families affected by cancer. Its non-returnable grants are often used by cancer patients to pay for household costs, travel to and from hospital and short respite breaks with their families.

Callum Whitelaw, Head of Business Studies & IT said: “We’re immensely proud of everyone who took part in the Walkathon and latterly a Pyjama Race too.

“Walking all night is a real challenge. But the whole group pulled together, walking in shifts to make sure the activity didn’t stop once. They have also smashed their £1000 fundraising target almost three times over, with donations still coming in.”

Callum continued: “Ennis House students were keen to choose a local charity to benefit from their fundraising and were all very impressed to learn how the DCCF is a very small charity which still manages to raise money to help many local families which are affected by cancer.

“Many of the students and staff at Glenmoor & Winton Academies have been touched by cancer in some form. Some, like Tyler have lost parents and loved ones to cancer.

“I know we are all passionate about raising as much as we can for the DCCF and will continue to come up with fun and inventive ways we can join together to do this.”

Jaz White, Charity Manager for the DCCF said: “We continue to be bowled-over by the efforts being put into fundraising for us by Ennis House.

“This tremendous group of students is full of ideas and enthusiasm and a real asset to our fundraising base. They and their parents should be hugely proud that the money they are raising for us is going straight to Dorset families who really need it.”

For more information on how to support the DCCF or to apply for a grant visit: www.dccf.co.uk

Other schools interested in fundraising for the Dorset Cancer Care Foundation are asked to email: charitymanager@dccf.co.uk

Ennis House students walked through the night to raise £2770 to help local families struggling financially because of cancer.

Westbourne restaurant and takeaway Chez Fred has helped the Dorset Cancer Care Foundation raise more than £3,000 to help financially struggling cancer patients.

The family-owned business has been a supporter of the Dorset Cancer Care Foundation for the past three years, donating hundreds of fish suppers in this time.

Most recently, they served up 36 free fish and chip suppers at an event in Poole which raised £3,210.

Eve Went, co-founder of the DCCF said: “Chez Fred doesn’t shout about it, but they are absolutely wonderful supporters of our charity and we are immensely grateful to them.

“Our Fish and Chip Supper events are always very popular because the food is so great. This month’s supper which was held in Poole raised £3,210 which will be going straight to local families who really need it.

“Chez Fred also regularly donates free meal vouchers for us to give to local cancer patients in need of financial help.

“These can be a lovely treat for families who are going through a hard time and are particularly welcome at the moment, when luxuries like takeaways are out of reach for many people, including those who are unable to work because of cancer.”

Tom Capel, co-owner of Chez Fred said: “We are very proud to have helped the DCCF raise over £9000 so far through their Fish and Chip Suppers.

“We just want to the DCCF to be able to keep doing what it does – and if we can help that we’re happy!”

The Poole-based charity, which gives financial help to local people living with a cancer diagnosis, has reported large increases in patients struggling to make ends meet as a result of the ongoing cost of living crisis.

The DCCF would like to hear from more businesses and organisations willing to support the charity.

Ninety-eight golfers teed-off at Dudsbury Golf Club, raising an amazing £10,000 for a local cancer charity and hospice.

The golfers were taking part in the annual Ferndown and Parley Rotary Club Golf Day which is now in its 23rd year and has amassed more than £125k for local good causes.

Ferndown and Parley Rotary President David Scholes said: “The Golf Day is always very well supported by golfers and businesses alike and this year’s event was an even bigger success than usual due to the Hendy Motor Group, our main sponsor.

“This year, when it was stated that it was estimated that £5000 had been raised at the event, Paul Hendy CEO of the Hendy Group, said that they would further increase their already generous sponsorship to make the final total £10,000.

“We were obviously thrilled as this means we can now give both our chosen charities an impressive £5,000 each.”

The beneficiaries of this year’s event are The Dorset Cancer Care Foundation (DCCF) and Forest Holme Hospice.

The DCCF gives non-returnable cash grants to Dorset families struggling financially because of a cancer diagnosis.

Jazmine White, Charity manager of The DCCF said: “We are extremely grateful to Ferndown and Parley Rotary Club for making us a beneficiary of this fabulous, long-standing event and also to Hendy and all the other event sponsors for their generosity.

“We are a small charity which relies solely on fundraising to help local families which are really struggling. This money will have an immediate effect on many lives.”

Kirsty Perks, Fundraiser for Forest Holme Hospice said: “We are absolutely delighted to be one of Ferndown and Parley Rotary Club chosen charities for 2023.

“Thank you to everyone involved in making the Charity Golf Day such a success and all the members for their continued support, corporate sponsors and special thanks to Hendy Group for fund matching the fantastic amount raised. This money will make a big difference to local people who need our care and support at the most difficult time of their lives.”

Golfers compete in the event for the chance to win the Norman Hendy trophy, which was this year won by the team 4Play comprising Peter David, Edward Booth, David Booth and Rob Jelley.

Paul Hendy, who competed in one of two Hendy teams, said: “It is always a memorable day, and a real privilege to play for the Norman Hendy trophy.”

An Innkeeper from Poole has told how she was diagnosed with breast cancer just weeks after agreeing to host an event for a local cancer charity.

Former jazz singer Maggie Dale, who owns the Inn In the Park in Pinewood Road, learned she had breast cancer last August after a routine mammogram.

She had just agreed to hold a fundraising event for The Dorset Cancer Care Foundation (DCCF).

Maggie explained: “I was absolutely stunned to learn I had cancer.

“I regularly check my breasts and thought I was fine. But I was called back after the mammogram and as soon as the nurse examined me, she said: “Oh yes, there’s the lump!” which goes to show just how important mammograms are.”

Maggie owns the Inn In the Park with her husband Darren.

She said: “After getting over the initial shock of the diagnosis my next thought was: “How am I going to run my business?

“I am self-employed with a big mortgage and Darren and I have to work every day to keep the Inn running and to pay ever-our rising bills. And as with many hospitality owners the last few years have been particularly stressful for us because of the effects of Covid.

“I literally had my surgery on the Monday and was up to serve breakfast the next day.”

Maggie also went on to have radiotherapy. She is now in remission but must follow a lengthy drug therapy regime.

She said: “Luckily, we caught the cancer early and it was not aggressive.

“Running the hotel and the support of our customers has helped me get through this and I feel incredibly lucky to still be here – and that’s why I also want to do everything I can to help The Dorset Cancer Care Foundation (DCCF).”

The DCCF was started by three local nurses from Poole in 2013 and through events organised by its supporters has raised £672k which has been awarded in grants to support 773 local families experiencing cancer.

Maggie continued: “My Dad died of cancer and my mum has had cancer. My sister has also had breast cancer.

“After my own brush with cancer it has only proved to me how vital this charity is for local people.

“Quite by coincidence, I had already agreed to host a quiz for the charity before my diagnosis. We held this in May and raised £900 for DCCF.

“We’ve now also just hosted the charity’s monthly coffee morning and that has raised a further £600 thanks to its supporters and some of our fantastic regulars.

“The charity tells me this money will go straight out to families who need it and that’s fantastic to know.

“I feel extremely lucky to have survived cancer, hugely thankful to the NHS and very proud to support the DCCF and Darren and I and our wonderful regulars will be doing more to support the charity in the future.”

Maggie’s friend and long-standing DCCF supporter Judy White said: “Maggie jumped at the chance of supporting the DCCF and little did we know, but she was about to face her own battle with cancer.

“We are all so proud of the bravery and amazing sense of humour she has shown throughout.

“She is a perfect landlady because she brings people together and that has been shown brilliantly in the amazing amount of money she has raised for the DCCF by just two events.

“We hope other businesses will be inspired by Maggie to support us too and in doing so help Dorset families who are experiencing severe hardship because of cancer.”

To find out more about the DCCF, how it help cancer patients and how to support the charity please visit: www.dccf.co.uk or email: hello@dccf.co.uk

A family-owned specialist care company stepped up to sponsor a local cancer charity’s coffee morning.

CARING TOGETHER – (Left to right) Guy Montrose, Director of Apple House Ltd, Romaine Lawson, Director of Apple House Ltd, DCCF Trustee Di Bird and Jane Montrose, MD of Apple House Ltd.

Apple House Ltd operates five homes across Dorset and Hampshire which provide residential care and support for adults with learning disabilities, including those with complex needs.

The company, which was founded 18 years ago by Jane and Guy Montrose, sponsored the latest charity coffee morning organised by the Dorset Cancer Care Foundation (DCCF).

The event took place at Oriel on the Quay in Poole and raised over £200.

Jane said: “We became aware of the work of the DCCF through its co-founder Eve Went and greatly admire how it helps local families which are struggling because of cancer.”

The DCCF was set up in 2013 by three nurses from Poole and organises regular events to fund financial help for families experiencing cancer.

To date, its supporters have raised £672,000 which has helped 773 Dorset people pay for everything from transport to and from hospital to utility bills, accommodation costs and counselling.

Jane continued: “The DCCF is making a huge difference to the lives of cancer patients here in Dorset. At Apple House we recognise that cancer can also have a profound impact on those people within our community who may be living with a disability.

“Guy and I have lost dear friends and family to cancer so, by supporting the DCCF it feels like we are making a difference to peoples’ lives in the communities we serve.

Guy agreed: “Sponsoring the DCCF’s latest coffee morning has enabled us to meet some fascinating people, some of whom have gone through cancer themselves, as well as fellow DCCF fundraisers. We hope this will be the first of many opportunities Apple House Ltd has to support the charity.”

Di Bird, a Trustee of the DCCF said: “We are extremely grateful to Apple House Ltd for sponsoring our latest coffee morning. We simply would not be able to operate without the help of supporters like them.

“As with all the money raised for us, Apple House Ltd’s contribution will be awarded to a local person with cancer within a few short weeks.

“We hope other companies reading this will also contact us to find out how they can be involved.”

For details of the DCCF’s next coffee morning and further events, plus how to apply for financial assistance, please visit: www.dccf.co.uk or email: hello@dccf.co.uk