Fire station opens its doors to help county’s cancer patients
A giant tea party organised by the officers of Christchurch Fire Station raised over £1200 for a local cancer charity.
The station in Fairmile Road, held the event for Dorset Cancer Care Foundation (DCCF) on September 22 and even heavy rain didn’t deter the crowds who packed the station bay to feast on cakes and take part in a raffle and tombola.
Watch Manager Matt Kiddell, said: “A lot of work went into organising the event but we never dreamed we would raise quite as much as we did, especially when it turned out to be such bad weather.”
He continued: “As well as having a lot of support from the community who came along on the day, we were really impressed by the kindness of local businesses which also got behind us.
DCCF Trustee Andrea Campbell with Christchurch Fire Station Watch Manager Matt Kiddell (far right) and other members of the Watch which raised over £1200 for the local cancer charity.
“Colourstone gave us £100 which paid for all the paper cups, plates and napkins etc, while BH Live, Ringwood Brewery, Two Rivers Meet Leisure Centre and JM Adventures all donated prizes.
“The fire service paid for all the tea and coffee, the local cake maker Liz Cook donated some incredible cakes and we also had many more cakes made or given to us by members of the Watch, their families, local supermarkets and members of the community.
“We have already decided to repeat the event again in 2019.”
Dorset Cancer Care Foundation was set up in Poole in 2012 to assist Dorset-based patients struggling financially because of cancer.
DCCF grants pay for household bills, accommodation costs, travel to and from hospital and much needed short breaks.
Trustee Andrea Campbell, said: “We were absolutely bowled over when the Watch told us what they had done for us and how much money the event had raised. They have an excellent standing in their local community and this was shown by the enormous support they received in this event. Their generosity will make a real difference to local families going through some very dark days.”
In September DCCF launched the High Five campaign which is urging people to donate £5, every penny of which will go to a local family struggling because of cancer.
To donate £5 simply Text DCCF00 £5 to 70070
Or why not do something for the High Five Campaign in UK charity Week – 3-9 December?
