A local couple raised £1,100 with a Macmillan coffee morning to thank their village for their support and kindness during the toughest of times
When Gemma Hampton’s husband Andy, 54, was diagnosed with a glioblastoma brain tumour this year, she wasn’t sure how she was going to manage, or where to turn for help. But she needn’t have worried – the Hinton St Mary villagers stepped up.
‘Andy had to have six weeks of daily radiotherapy and the villagers promptly made up a rota to take him to the Robert White Centre in Dorchester, which helped me so so much,’ says Gemma.
It takes a village
The couple have two young children – Isabelle is three and Henley is just a year old.
‘The villagers have also supported us in other, deeply practical ways I would never have thought to ask for. Walking our dogs, looking after our children and even cooking meals for us as family.
‘Through the support we learned just how many other people have needed the support of MacMillan at some point. We decided to host the coffee morning as a way to raise money for MacMillan while thanking everyone for their help, which has made such a difference to us this year.
‘Local businesses donated wonderful prizes for the raffle and it felt like everyone from the village helped – whether it was hosting at the coffee morning, selling raffle tickets or baking cakes. It was held in the Hinton St Mary village hall, and our tiny community managed to raise £1,100.10!’
Gemma says Andy has now started the next course of treatment – six cycles of chemotherapy over six months. So far he is doing well with his treatment.
