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- The charity was founded in 2004 by Kate Coles
KatCanDo is a local cancer charity celebrating 17 years of helping local patients in their fight against cancer.
CommunityAd had the pleasure of speaking with both Kendra Cardy and Alan Mowat from KatCanDo where we discussed the charity’s origin, their most memorable moments and future goals…
Can you inform readers what KatCanDo are and how they got started?
The charity was founded in 2004 by Kate Coles who was diagnosed with cancer in 2003, but sadly died in 2006.
During her treatment, Kate decided to raise funds for much needed state of the art equipment to assist in cancer treatment which was not available under the NHS budget.
Everyone involved with KatCanDo – Trustees, Committee Members, Friends and Helpers – are all unpaid volunteers. This maximises the amount of money available to help cancer patients, both children and adults, which is of course the prime objective.
What We Do
- We raise funds to purchase equipment and services for local hospitals and hospices for the benefit of cancer patients.
- We liaise with health professionals and cancer care specialists in helping to provide the latest technology and services that will most benefit people suffering from cancer.
- Since 2004 over £320,000 has been donated to organisations caring for cancer patients in NE Hants and SW Surrey.
Having almost reached 20 years, what would you say have been the most memorable moments and heart-warming fundraisers you have achieved across nearly 2 decades?
All our donations throughout our 17 years of fundraising have been gratefully accepted by the 3 hospitals and 3 hospices in our remit. It gives us such pleasure that in our small way we have helped to provide either a service or equipment for the benefit of cancer patients.
Memorable moments have been spent at Christopher’s Hospice Shooting Star Chase in Guildford where equipment we have bought has been so gratefully received by staff that are doing amazing work supporting parents and their children with end-of-life illnesses.
Are there any campaigns and fundraisers running at the moment that the local people of Hartley Wintney or nearby can get involved in?
Like all charities COVID has affected our fundraising events in the past 18 months. However, we are holding a Quiz night on November 12th at Heatherside Community Centre (details on our website). We would welcome anybody from Hartley Wintney or nearby that would like to join us on that evening.
Are you looking for any volunteers? If so, how can people get involved?
We always welcome any help/support from volunteers to assist in our fundraising activities. They can join our Friends of KatCanDo, with no obligations, but would receive our eNews updates on our forthcoming events where help is always welcome. Details on our website.
Do you have a 5-10-year project of where you would like KatCanDo to be?
As a small charity we marvel at the fact that our charity has continued to thrive over these past 17 years. We would like to think in a further 5-10 years that our committee is continuing to raise funds with the same aim in mind…”To raise funds to purchase equipment and services for local hospitals and hospices for the benefit of cancer patients”.
Quote from Kelly Armstrong, nurse and one of KatCanDo’s supporters:
“Something KatCanDo provides has made a big difference to one of my patients who is nearing the end of her life… she received a visit from the complementary therapist that KatCanDo donate the money for, who gave her a lovely massage for which she was so grateful… this service is wonderful, my patient felt human and pampered in an otherwise bad situation. Small acts of kindness make an enormous difference.”
KatCanDo Cares About Cancer – Registered Charity No. 1106566