Whaplode breast cancer survivor raises £1,385 for Breast Cancer Now

A breast cancer survivor who held a month-long campaign raising awareness and funds for a charity dedicated to fighting the disease has been overwhelmed by the response she received.

Boxes of Hope receptionist Carol Houlden set out to raise £500 for Breast Cancer Now during October but has smashed that target by bringing in £1,385 and is now launching a support group to help others navigating a diagnosis.

Carol and her colleagues raised the fantastic sum by wearing pink for the whole of October.

They also held two fundraising days, including raffles at their Holbeach base, while Carol also pledged to walk a mile every day.

She said: “I’m absolutely gobsmacked, it’s been a real rollercoaster – the whole point of this was to raise awareness and to get people talking, as well as raise some money.

“I’ve had several ladies come in to speak to me who are now either on their own breast cancer journey or who have had breast cancer in the past. So, we’ve decided to set up a support group in the hub here, somewhere people can come and chat.

“They can share their journey with each other, talk about how they’re feeling and support each other. When I got the-all clear I was really excited, but after leaving the hospital, I’d been in that bubble for so many years, I was left wondering what happens next. It felt like I’d been cut adrift. This will be somewhere for people to get support after that bubble bursts.”

Carol, of Whaplode, was told she had breast cancer in 2011 following a routine mammogram. She underwent two operations – one to remove the lump and a second to remove more tissue and seven lymph nodes. She was given 15 doses of radiotherapy and received the all-clear in 2016 after a five-year course of the Tamoxifen.

Carol said the details of the support group are still being finalised but will be made public once available. In the meantime, anyone undergoing treatment for breast cancer or who is in remission who needs support can contact Carol at Boxes of Hope.

She added: “I just wanted to thank everyone for their support during the past month – especially Mandy Baxter at Boxes of Hope for letting me run the campaign. I just cannot believe how generous everyone has been.

“It’s been good speaking out about it - we need people to come forward and share their feelings and help each other, I’m always here if anyone needs to talk about breast cancer.”

* Carol’s fundraising page remains open until the end of the month at justgiving.com/page/carol-houlden-1725874187592