The Peggy Wood Foundation

Mrs Peggy Wood, known to everyone as Peggy, began raising funds in 1980, when her grandson, Danny Chandler, was diagnosed with leukaemia at the age of two and a half. Appalled by the lack of medical equipment to treat him in his home town, Peggy began what would become a long campaign to equip Maidstone Hospital with life-saving equipment for their cancer patients.

From 1980 until her death in 2006 she was the inspiration in raising £3.5 million through her charity, the Kent Leukaemia and Cancer Equipment Fund. Her husband, Fred, gave her the first donation of £100.

She helped set up the area’s first self-referral breast screening service for women over forty and an ambulance service to take sick children to and from London for treatment.

In April 2004, Maidstone Hospital unveiled its £3 million breast care centre, which was named after Mrs Wood as a tribute to her efforts.

The charity was renamed the Peggy Wood Foundation in praise of her fundraising efforts on behalf of the thousands of patients she helped.

CommunityAd spoke with Chairman of the Peggy Wood Foundation, Bryn Annis, to find out more…

What are the aims of the Peggy Wood Foundation?

The Peggy Wood Foundation’s aim is to support Maidstone Hospital to purchase equipment to fight all forms of cancer.

What has been your most memorable moment from the foundation?

The charity’s most memorable moment is when Maidstone Hospital named a unit after our founder Peggy Wood.

Where would you like to be in the next 5-10 years?

Ideally, I would like to see there not being a need for our charity in 10 years’ time.

What do you enjoy most about living in Bearsted?

When I lived in Bearsted I loved the community spirit, and I still visit regularly.

For more information, visit www.peggywoodfoundation.weebly.com and the The Peggy Wood Foundation Facebook page.

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