Hope for Tomorrow attends special cancer charity reception at Buckingham Palace.
Rachel Mann, breast cancer survivor and dedicated fundraiser and volunteer for charity, Hope for Tomorrow, was one of several guests to receive a royal invitation from HM The King to attend a special Palace reception last month, held in recognition of their work supporting cancer patients.
Rachel, who lives in Sudbury, Suffolk, was part of a team representing the charity in what they described as a “real honour” and a “pinch me moment”, which included CEO Tina Seymour; oncology nurse Pat Dyminski; high value partnership manager Emma Bowles; cancer care unit driver Bryan Baird; and operations co-ordinator Jayne Foster.
Actor Richard E Grant, radio presenter Adele Roberts, former footballer Ashley Cain, and Alistair and Heather James, parents of Dame Deborah James who died of bowel cancer in 2022, were also among the guests attending.
Rachel said: “It was a true honour and privilege to attend the event at Buckingham Palace with Hope for Tomorrow. It was a wonderful opportunity to speak with representatives from so many other charities – whether raising awareness of the disease or helping to make the lives of those with a diagnosis a little easier. It was certainly an evening I’ll never forget.”
Emma Bowles added: “It was an amazing experience as we had time to talk to the King and Queen Camilla to share the essential community-based cancer care and services we provide in the county and across the UK. Their current personal experience and journey was very much front of mind, and they showed real interest in what we do, which was very heartening. It was an important moment for us, and we hope that more public awareness and support will come from the occasion.”
The reception, held at Buckingham Palace and hosted by the King and Queen Camilla on 30th April, was in honour of community projects helping people who are living with cancer and for health groups working to prevent cancer.
Hope for Tomorrow has 14 mobile cancer care units and support vehicles across England, working with nine NHS trusts to bring cancer care into communities and closer to patients’ homes. The charity is entirely self-funded, relying 100 per cent on sponsors and donations, with a budget this year of £1.8 million to keep the units on the road so patients can receive the same quality of care but without the stress and expense of having to travel to hospital – freeing up time to spend with family, friends or to work.
Frisbey, the unit in West Suffolk named in honour of the late grandmother of former racing car driver, Martin Brundle OBE, who died of cancer in 2016, travels between Newmarket, Stowmarket, Sudbury and Thetford and is run in partnership with West Suffolk NHS Foundation. Last year it made 182 visits into the community and facilitated 2,375 patient visits with 93% of them rating their experience as five out of five. Currently Hope for Tomorrow is fundraising to raise vital funds to upgrade the unit and ensure the continuity of service for more cancer patients who need their care in the local community.
The King, who was diagnosed with an undisclosed type of cancer in February 2024, also sent a heartfelt message to guests at the royal reception, describing his experience as “daunting and at times frightening,” yet how “the darkest moments of illness can be illuminated by the greatest compassion.” He spoke about becoming a cancer statistic, referencing the more than 1,000 new cases recorded daily in the UK.
Tina Seymour, CEO of Hope for Tomorrow, added: “We would like to thank the King and Queen for hosting such a monumental event. It is so important to keep recognising and supporting cancer charities if we are to raise the funds needed to beat this disease.
“It is a very challenging time for charities as the cost-of-living crisis persists – every donation counts. We work hard to organise a spectrum of events where everyone and anyone can get involved through fundraising and sponsorship, no matter their age or location – individuals and businesses. From sky diving, to wing walking, to our flagship charity fundraisers, Walk of Hope and Cuppa for Cancer Care – where just popping on the kettle can raise much needed funds – there are many ways people can get involved in helping to drive cancer care forward.
“The generosity of people and organisations means we can benefit more cancer patients by expanding our cancer care units across the UK and by supporting the NHS with mobile diagnoses and screening too. The opportunities are endless, however we can’t do it without the support of our fundraisers, donors and sponsors.”
To make a donation or to find out more on how to get involved with Hope for Tomorrow visit: https://hopefortomorrow.org.uk.
