THOUSANDS of pounds have been raised by the residents of Halstead for a specialist bus that treats people with a life-threatening condition.
Halstead town held the Cuppa for Cancer charity event, at Queens Hall, in Chipping Hill, on February 24.
The event raised funds for the mobile cancer care unit which visits Halstead every Tuesday and supports people in the town and the surrounding areas with the condition.
A fantastic £2,350 was raised last Saturday and the proceeds will help the chemotherapy bus continue to thrive.
Halstead’s mayor, Jackie Pell, spearheaded the event and is fully aware of the incredible services the bus provides, given she is currently recovering from bowel cancer.
Mrs Pell is delighted with how the event went.
She said: “It exceeded my expectations.
“I was so pleased, I’ve had so many people message me about how they enjoyed it and it made them aware of what the bus does, most people don’t realise it is a charity.
“People could talk to oner another who have gone through similar experiences, or had to use the bus, they were talking, and talking is important.
“It was really great and the fact we raised so much money was an added bonus.
“It was a lot of hard work and we’re thankful to those who sold tickets for the raffles, made cakes, even people who collected dirty cups at the end of the event, it was a really a community effort.”
The bus is run by Hope for Tomorrow, a charity organisation that works with the NHS to bring cancer treatment closer to the patients afflicted by the condition rather than having to travel to the hospital.
Mobile cancer care units are set up similar to hospital treatment rooms with chemotherapy pump stands and medical storage facilities.
The council gives the bus free parking in Butler Road when it operates in Halstead.
Starting at 1pm, the Cuppa for cancer event ran for more than three hours and received a constant stream of visitors coming into the hall to make event a success.
A host of different stalls were set up and visitors could purchase trinkets from a bric-a-brac stall, as well as tea, coffee, tasty cake, and enter raffle competitions to win prizes.
During the fundraiser more than 70 generous prizes were donated by residents and the raffle itself raised over £1,000.
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