Issue 312 – Local charity PAC thanks the people of Frome

Positive Action on Cancer who launched their ‘Listening Ear Appeal’ last October want to thank the people of Frome and surrounding areas for helping them to raise over £133,000 in less than a year.

The appeal needs to raise £200,000 over a two-year period and PAC have managed to get over half way there within the first year.
Rosie Eliot, fundraiser for PAC said, “As you can imagine it has been an incredibly busy time for the charity and we are absolutely delighted that all the hard work has paid off. We want to say a special thank you to the people of Frome who have been incredibly kind with their support during this past year.”
The charity offers emotional support to people affected by cancer and other life threatening illnesses by providing a free professional counselling service to adults and children. During the last year PAC have supported the needs of over 150 people and have a growth of over 50% in the last five years.
Angela, a client living in Frome said, “I feel more able to face my future and this counselling has not only helped me, but also my husband and children. They have said to me ‘you’re a much nicer mum now, you don’t shout so much or get as cross.’ What more could I wish for? My counsellor has made such a massive difference to my life. I’m not sure she will ever know how much.”
As well as applying to trust funds and funding bodies, much of the money has been raised through local initiatives and from individual enterprises.
One of the major fundraising events of the year was the Splash of Purple Day, held at the end of January which raised over £3,000 in a single day. Rosie says, “We will be holding a second Splash of Purple Day on Friday 28th January next year and we hope to double that amount. We want to involve all the schools of Frome this year and get as many groups and individuals as possible fundraising on that day for us.
“We are also producing a stunning new Christmas card by the same designer of last year’s sell-out card and Butler, Tanner and Dennis are very kindly printing our beautiful and stylish new recipe books that will make a fantastic gift for everyone.
Gloria Hunniford who has supported the appeal from the outset said, “Cancer deals more than just a physical blow and being able to discuss one’s fears and extreme worries about the effects of the disease on both the individual and family life, is a vital part of cancer care. Positive Action on Cancer offers excellent work and I fully endorse their Listening Ear Appeal and urge everyone to do what they can to help the service to continue.”
Local supporter Kevin McLeod said, “I know from personal experience how difficult life can become when someone you love develops a serious illness like cancer, which is why I fully support the work that Positive Action on Cancer is doing. Illness can be isolating and treatment is sometimes technical and scary. Counselling provides the human, friendly antidote.”
Mary Taylor, director of PAC said, “We cannot thank everyone enough for all their efforts in helping us to raise this amazing sum. However, we still have to raise almost £70,000 during this coming year to reach the appeal’s target of £200,000. We urge everyone to help wherever they can.”
If you would like to follow the amount the appeal is collecting, PAC have had a fundraising thermometer put on their front door at their office in Market Place and if you would like to contribute towards the appeal visit the Just Giving website at www.justgiving.com where you can make a donation.