A Harrogate woman has been creating crystal art to raise funds for a local cancer charity after being diagnosed with the disease.
Paula Grainger, 79, discovered she had ovarian cancer in 2019. Since then she has been “giving something back” to Harrogate-based Yorkshire Cancer Research by selling her artwork at community events.
She said:
“I came across Yorkshire Cancer Research, and I didn’t realise that there was a regional cancer charity, so I thought ‘right, what can I do to help?’. I’ve always liked crafts, so I started producing some artwork to sell and donating the profits to the charity.”
Paula creates crystal art by placing crystals onto a canvas and sells it at events such as Bilton Cricket Club’s party of the pitch. She said:
“I’ve always made cards and other bits, but when I started doing crystal art, I just loved it. It’s really satisfying and once it’s finished it shimmers and shines.
“I live with my eldest daughter and her family, and I’ve almost taken over with all my craft supplies and artwork. They’ve given me half of the garage to store everything.”
Paula first visited her doctor after she noticed that she’d lost weight and was having trouble eating.
She was referred for further tests at St James’s Hospital in Leeds and was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Unfortunately, Paula was told that her cancer was incurable.
Paula Grainger
She said:
“I didn’t go to the doctors immediately when I started feeling unwell. I meet up with a group of friends once a week and they gave me a push to make the appointment to speak to my doctor. It was such a shock when the diagnosis came through.
“That’s something I’d want to get across to people, it feels daunting but it’s so important to go and speak to your doctor if you have anything you’re concerned about so you can catch the cancer early.”
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Paula had chemotherapy and after two years of monitoring, was given a second round in 2021. She now takes medication to prevent the cancer from spreading. She said:
“It’s been a difficult journey, especially when your mind is constantly thinking about the cancer, but I’m pleased with where I am now.”
Yorkshire Cancer Research funds research to tackle cancer in the region.
Mum-of-three Paula said:
1,400 runners set to take part in Harrogate Race for Life“It was important to me to raise funds for a local charity. Yorkshire Cancer Research funds research in Leeds, where I was treated, so it felt like the perfect opportunity to help support the people who had supported me.
“I’m not doing it for people like me, I’m doing it for people like my daughters and my grandchildren, and everybody else who may be affected by cancer in the future and can benefit from developments in cancer research.
“When you think about the developments that have been made even in the past 10 years, it’s incredible. My mum and grandmother both passed away from cancer, and it was a very different prognosis then than it is now.”
About 1,400 runners are set to take part in the Race for Life on the Stray in Harrogate tomorrow.
Women, men and children will complete 3k, 5k and 10k events to raise money for Cancer Research UK.
There is also an option to take part in Pretty Muddy, a mud-splattered obstacle course. You can enter on the day.
Road closures will be in place on Oatlands Drive and Stray Rein.
The event, which raises funds for cancer research, begins at 9.30am with the 10k. The 5k and 3k start at 11am and the Pretty Muddy events follow.
It costs adults £14.99 to enter and £10 for children.
Molly Fuchs
Molly Fuchs, who is receiving palliative treatment for secondary breast cancer, is a veteran of many Race for Life events.
Although no longer able to take part, the Settle woman urging others to sign up for the event at the Stray.
“I cannot relive the past, only appreciate the things I did and the wonderful memories I still hold close.
“Whether running, jogging or walking, Race for Life could be your stepping stone to other things – go for it and while doing so raise money for a worthwhile cause.”
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Harrogate cancer survivor urges women to check their breasts
A Harrogate breast cancer survivor is urging people to check their breasts and contact their GP with any concerns.
Annette Ward was diagnosed with breast cancer in June last year after noticing a lump and a change in the shape of her breast.
Ms Ward, 61, spoke to her GP and was referred to hospital for further tests. She was then told that she had cancer.
It was diagnosed as primary breast cancer, which meant it had not spread to other areas of her body and could be treated more easily. She had surgery to remove the lump, followed by radiotherapy.
She said:
“I feel blessed that my cancer was found early. From diagnosis to treatment, the NHS have been marvellous.
“I’m so grateful to the doctors and nurses at Harrogate District Hospital and St James’s Hospital in Leeds. They did everything they can to make sure I was treated quickly and effectively.”
Ms Ward now urges others to make sure they take part in breast screening when invited and also check for changes.
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She said:
“It’s so important to check your breasts regularly. I had my routine mammogram just over a year before I was diagnosed, and that had been clear. These things can happen very quickly, and the sooner it’s found the sooner it can be treated.
“Self-check as much as you can. If there’s anything out of the ordinary or that you’re concerned about, contact your GP and have it looked at as soon as possible.”
After treatment, Ms Ward started volunteering as a way to regain confidence and took up a role at Yorkshire Cancer Research’s Knaresborough shop.
She added:
Masham teenager with cancer is raising thousands for charities“I thought that Yorkshire Cancer Research would be ideal. It’s my way of giving back and of saying thank you for the research they fund.”
A Masham teenager who was diagnosed with a rare bone cancer earlier this year is raising money for the charities who have been supporting her through her illness.
Lucy Verity, 19, was diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma in February and has been undergoing gruelling treatments ever since.
Over the next few months she will go through 14 chemotherapy sessions, radiotherapy and proton therapy at different hospitals across the north of England.
Rather than raise money towards her own treatment expenses, she decided to fundraise for the Teenage Cancer Trust and the Bone Cancer Research Trust, who have been supporting her over the past four months.
She set up her fundraiser on JustGiving last Saturday and has already reached £3,900, more than three quarters of her £5,000 goal.
Before becoming ill, Lucy was an avid sports player and loved to look after her animals in her home in Masham. She hopes to get back to this as soon as possible, and run her own fundraising events.
She said:
“We’re in a lucky position where we’re able to support ourselves to travel for my treatments; that’s why I chose to raise money towards these charities instead of for myself, as they have a great team of dedicated nurses and youth workers who helped me to not feel alone when I wasn’t allowed visitors in the hospital.”
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Her family and friends have been rallying around to raise money towards her goal. Her brother will be running 24 miles in 24 hours on June 19, and her friends and cousin will take part in the Leeds 12km Total Warrior in July.
Lucy and her family have given suggestions for people who want to set up their own fundraisers for the cause, such as coffee and cake mornings, clearouts or tombola raffles.
Ewing’s sarcoma is a rare form of bone cancer that can cause bone pain, tiredness and constant fever. For many the illness can go undiagnosed for a long time due to its rarity.
The Bone Cancer Research Trust aims to find a cure for this and other types of bone cancer through scientific research. You can find out more about Lucy’s fundraiser or donate here.
More charity shops re-open across the Harrogate district
Further charities with shops in Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon have reopened their doors this week.
In Ripon, where nine different charities have retail outlets, The Salvation Army has reopened after being shut since March 23.
The Cancer Research UK shop, located on Market Place, is also back trading in the city, while its shops in Knaresborough Market Place and Oxford Street, Harrogate, have also reopened.
The reopenings follow news reported in The Stray Ferret of last week’s opening of St Vincent’s on Knaresborough High Street, which raises money to support the community work of the St Vincent de Paul charity.
Victoria Smith, manager of Ripon’s Salvation Army shop, told The Stray Ferret:
“We have introduced strict social distancing and hand hygiene arrangements and have also fitted a perspex screen at our counter. Just six people at a time are allowed in.”
Victoria added:
“It has felt like a long time since we had to go into lockdown and we look forward to welcoming back our customers and the people who have supported us in the past through the donation of items for sale.”
The Salvation Army, which has more than 400 shops across the country, is a pioneer, having opened its first shops in the 19th century to provide affordable clothing to people who otherwise could not afford them.
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Cancer Research UK is a research and awareness charity formed in February 2002 through the merger of The Cancer Research Campaign and Imperial Cancer Research Fund.
The charity has 600 shops in the UK and Isle of Man and money raised through them is used to support its aim of reducing the number of cancer deaths.
Di Illingworth, who manages the Cancer Research UK Ripon shop (pictured above), said: “We are so pleased to be back. All charities rely heavily on the money raised through their retail outlets.”