Hannah turns dad’s cancer shock into fundraising spur

Mark Stott from Exeter discovered he had cancer in February and three weeks later had his stomach removed.

It was a life changing diagnosis and operation with very little time for him and his family to come to terms with the implications.

But within weeks, FORCE Cancer Charity had stepped in to offer help, advice and support.

Only daughter Hannah explained: “Dad benefited from physio and counselling to start him on the long road to recovery.

“But FORCE haven’t just supported him; both my mum and I have also received help. With multiple people in our lives with cancer at the same time, having access to FORCE’s services and support means that as carers and friends who are being relied on, we can also get help so we can be there during their cancer treatment and recovery.”

Essential

Hannah will be riding The Nello on June 28, tackling the 60-mile route to thank FORCE for the support her family has received.

FORCE receives no Government or NHS funding to sustain its role in helping local people affected by cancer so events like The Nello, which has raised nearly £1.5 million since the year 2000, are essential to its survival.

Hannah is a freelancer living in Bristol, bringing together partnerships that support climate, nature and people.

She grew up in Exeter and is close to her parents. Being more than an hour away from them when they were dealing with the news that turned all their lives upside down has been tough.

FORCE has provided peace of mind.

Amazing

Hannah takes up the story: “FORCE is an amazing source of support, not only for patients at whatever stage in their cancer journey they are, but it also provides the resources and capacity for the family, so they can be there for those who need them.

“There has been a lot of cancer in my life recently. For the past year, my 40-year-old cousin has undergone various treatments for Stage 4 melanoma, which has unfortunately spread, two friends have lost their dads after late diagnosis and another is undergoing a big procedure to remove a tumour.

“When Dad came out of hospital after almost a month, he was very weak and adjusting life post gastrectomy. Even though my parents aren’t together, Mum (Sue), who’s an ex-nurse, has been caring for him in his recovery.

“We were thinking about contacting FORCE but they reached out to us to arrange some physio and since then all three of us have received such meaningful support from the team.

“Dad is getting the help he needs to build back his strength and come to terms with what’s happened.

Grateful

“The same goes for Mum. I’m so grateful that she is also able to get help as a carer, considering she is also supporting my cousin and his family. Her being able to take some time for herself and be treated and have a supportive place to talk is amazing.

“As for me, I’ve needed support to process what’s happened, especially given the short space of time between diagnosis and operation. This was not just life changing for Dad – it’s changed things for all of us. With all the demands of life at the moment, and supporting multiple people with their experiences of cancer, having somewhere to go for support is really valuable.”

FORCE provides free help and support to thousands of people every year at its main Support Centre in Exeter and community hospitals and health centres in Okehampton, Tiverton, Ottery St Mary and Cullompton.

“FORCE has such a great reputation. We planned on reaching out to them but we we’re also quite overwhelmed with caring responsibilities post Dad’s op.

“Hearing from them first – with Dad’s doctors having referred him – meant we didn’t even need to start the process, which made everything just that bit easier. It was such a relief to know that support was already in motion and there was one less thing for us to do and think about.

Personal

“Dad has had counselling, physio and group gym classes. He’s also benefited from meeting other people experiencing cancer. Mum has had some massages and will be having some counselling and I am having some remote counselling and will definitely be getting a massage at some point!

“From my perspective, the support from FORCE has been much more personal, helping to address the elements of diagnosis and treatment that the NHS isn’t able to – like emotional support, longer term recovery through physio and a community of people experiencing similar things.

“The NHS did an incredible job diagnosing and treating the main issue, but FORCE is now able to help with what comes after.”

Hannah will be one of around 1,000 cyclists riding this year’s Nello, which starts and finishes at Topsham Rugby Club. They will ride 60 or 100 miles with support around the course from main sponsors Bike Shed.

This year’s fundraising target for the event is £127,500 and Hannah is hoping to make a contribution to that target via the FORCE online sponsorship page – www.justgiving.com/campaign/nello2026