FORCE receives £25,000 donation from social impact company Omaze
FORCE Cancer Charity, which supports residents affected by cancer in Exeter and the wider Devon community, has received a £25,000 donation from social impact company Omaze, following its latest house draw in the region.
FORCE works with thousands of people – patients and their families – every year to help them through the most difficult time of their lives. Anyone needing support can simply drop into our Centre in Exeter or book an appointment at our outreach locations in Ottery St Mary and Okehampton.
Omaze is committed to leaving a lasting legacy in the communities where its Grand Prize houses are located – in addition to the main donation for its House Draw charity partners – and is delighted to be supporting a very worthy local cause such as FORCE Cancer Charity.
The money donated by Omaze will make a significant contribution towards funding FORCE’s nurse information team for an entire year.
Amazing
The team plays a front and centre role in the support FORCE offers to people in Devon. They provide the gateway to all FORCE services, ensuring that anyone who walks through the doors, calls the support lines or emails, is offered the very best and most appropriate care.
Lynn Begam, a 56-year-old hotel worker from Exeter with one son and a three-year-old grandchild, was diagnosed with a triple negative breast cancer in July 2022. She said of her experience
after diagnosis: “I used to see the Centre when I drove past. I didn’t want to come at first, but my husband persuaded me. I remember the first time I walked in here with him and asked if I could see a nurse. I’d had my first dose of chemo and wanted to talk to someone, because my head was sore. I met Jayne (FORCE information nurse) and I broke my heart to her. I was worried about my granddaughter seeing me without hair. Jayne was amazing, she really helped.”
After using many of FORCE’s services over the last year or so, Lynn is now back at work as a housekeeper at the Exeter Court Hotel.
Lynn added: “FORCE has helped me so much and I will carry on coming. I love it here. I get so much out of it and I feel safe and relaxed. I don’t know how I would have coped without this place. I would shout it from the rooftops if I could. This place saved me – simple as that!”
Generous
Meriel Fishwick, CEO, FORCE Cancer Charity said: “Everything we do is dependent on voluntary contributions and everyone at FORCE Cancer Charity would like to say a huge thank you to Omaze. Their generous donation will help us to continue the vital support we provide to people in the local area who are faced with a cancer diagnosis. This wonderful gesture will make such a difference.”
Simon Jupp, MP for East Devon, said: “The best care is normally the care we receive closest to home and around our loved ones. After seeing FORCE Cancer Charity put this model into action at Ottery St Mary Hospital, I was determined to raise awareness of the charity’s inspiring efforts supporting those impacted by cancer in our part of Devon. I subsequently raised their work with Omaze and I warmly welcome this significant donation to the charity which will make an enormous difference to all involved.”
Delighted
Omaze recently ran a house draw in Devon – in which a beautifully renovated 5-bedroom cottage worth over £2,000,000 and £100,000 in cash was won by Simon Williams, a dad of two from Sussex – whilst also raising £1,700,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support.
A short video interview featuring Simon seeing his new property, that borders Dartmoor National Park, for the first time is available to view and take from https://youtu.be/1Jk0jGMYX2w (credit Omaze).
James Oakes, Chief International Officer, Omaze, said: “Everyone at Omaze is absolutely delighted we have been able to make a contribution to FORCE Cancer Charity – which will help it continue its remarkable work supporting people affected by cancer in the area. I was honoured to visit one of their centres recently and was very moved to witness the impact they have on this community first-hand.
“Omaze will continue to help more local causes in the areas where we host our house draws, wherever possible.”
- Our pictures show Simon Jupp MP, Barney Paton from Omaze and Meriel Fishwick, FORCE Chief Executive and Lynn Begam with best friend Geraldine Channing.
