Gala dinner raises record £32,000 for cancer charity

A GALA dinner in aid of My
Cancer My Choices in Charvil raised £32,000.

About 230 people attended the event on Saturday evening at the Hilton in Reading.

Guests had a three-course dinner, welcome drink and a live and silent auction was held during the evening followed by a disco.

Auction prizes included holidays, theatre tickets, artwork, experience vouchers, designer sunglasses and high end handbags while football memorabillia and holidays to the Lake District and Spain.

A true or false quiz was also organised by Fiona Pearce, a fundraising committee member, who was helped by Ady Williams, a presenter for BBC Radio Berkshire.

Mandy Barter, a co-founder of the charity, gave a speech about how the charity had grown to support hundreds of people living with cancer every year at different locations in Berkshire. The event was hosted by Philip Voke, a long-standing supporter of the charity and the funds raised was a record amount, supassing the £28,000 raised last year.

Chief executive Claire Rhodes said: “We were absolutely delighted and what an incredible way to start our 10th anniversary year.

“It just goes to show how the charity has touched so many people over the years and means so much to them. People can really see the value in what we’re doing and want to support it to make sure more people can benefit.

“We were a little bit worried about the weather forecast and whether people would come incase there was ice or snow but the turnout was great.

“One of our guest speakers was a service user and she talked about her experience using our different therapies and what difference it has made to her and she talked about what she has managed to achieve in the last year and how to make the most of every moment with her message.

“There was a wonderful atmosphere in the room. and it’s so important that we raise these funds. Although we have volunteers who give their time for free, there are costs involved in offering the complementary therapies to people.

“There are more and more people who have had a diagnosis living with cancer in our area and we really want to reach more of them so that means we need to raise more money.”

Dee Malan, marketing and communications officer, said: “Overall the dinner was an amazing start because there is lots that has been planned for the year ahead. We also had a birthday cake provided by the Hilton, which was lovely.

“There is quite a lot of emotion around to know that people are so generous. It was a really good surprise that we did manage to raise such funds because times are trying at this time of year. We are really, really happy.

“We are looking at expanding our treatment options as well to introduce new treatments and new therapies so it all goes towards that.”

My Cancer My Choices, in Old Bath Road. provides life-improving treatments and therapies for people with cancer. Volunteers offer therapies including acupuncture, massage, reflexology, mindfulness, yoga, reiki and art therapy free of charge.

The therapies help ease side effects of cancer treatments including nerve damage, nausea, sleeplessness, pain,hot flushes and improve mental health by reducing anxiety and depression.

On March 14, the charity will hold a quiz at Charvil village hall from 7.30pm. All proceeds will support the charity. The maximum number of members permitted per team is eight. Doors open at 7pm.

To book a place, email events@mycancermychoices.org