Woman with terminal cancer sets up Edith’s Purse to support families in Lincolnshire and the Fens

A supportive network of friends, family and businesses are helping a woman with terminal cancer leave a charitable legacy behind.

Emma Barnard, 49, received the heartbreaking news earlier this year that she has been diagnosed with cancer for the the third time - and this time it is incurable. She had battled lung cancer in 2014 and breast cancer twice.

She has set up Edith’s Purse - inspired by her nan who died from breast cancer - to help families across Lincolnshire and the Fens who are in a similar position. It is being supported by Pippa’s Pantry in Sutton Bridge, Boxes of Hope in Holbeach, along with a band concert in Crowland.

Emma, who lives in Wisbech, said: “I never knew my paternal nan, Edith Waterfield, who like me had breast cancer twice and died nine months before I was born.

“She was mum to ten children and had very little, but my dad adored her and she is the one person I wish I'd get my ten minutes on a bench with.

“So I wanted to call our fundraising pot Edith's purse in tribute and I'm hoping that the money from it will go on to help families with school age children for many years to come.”

Ten years ago, Emma had half a lung removed. Later, she noticed an area in her breast which required chemotherapy, radiotherapy and a lumpectomy.

At the start of this year she had pain in her shoulder and a routine mammogram showed cancer.

She said: “A scan showed the cancer was everywhere - in my head, toes and liver.

“So I turned a negative into a positive by setting up Edith’s Purse.

“I am passionate about it and my family are behind it and will keep it going for as long as they can.”

Emma’s positive attitude means she ‘makes the most of every day’ with husband Darren and her two daughters but does not want to know how long she may have to live.

She added: “I don’t want to live to a date.

“I want to enjoy myself - I have accepted it and once I accept it I can move on from it.

“I don’t want cancer to define me.”

With an original target of £100, Emma has far surpassed that amount with her Just Giving page currently at £3,069.

Emma said: “It has just taken off.

“This is the last chance I’ve got to do something to raise some money for families who may be in financial difficulty.

“I want to ensure that the money goes exactly to where it is needed most.”

An annual event called EmFest will continue Emma’s legacy to raise funds for Edith’s Purse plus many events such as quizzes have helped towards the current total.

Eskimo Joe performed at the Crown Inn in Crowland and donated their fee to the cause. Emma hopes the band will play at EmFest in 2025.

She said: “It came about when there was no way to see friends and family all at the same time so in August everybody came over and we had a festival.

“The idea is to have EmFest yearly to help those who are ill who need financial help.

“Everyone has been amazing and I have a good support network - I want to give something back.”

Mandy Baxter, who runs Boxes of Hope in Holbeach, invited Emma over to see what the charity does and donated some goodies.

Emma was put in touch with Pippa Burrows, owner of Pippa’s Pantry who made a hamper as a raffle prize.

She said “I am so grateful to them for really getting on board with Edith’s Purse.

“People have given donations, toys, balloons and a serious amount of money.”

With overwhelming support from the community, Emma hopes her passion for Edith’s Purse will continue to help families who need it in the future - after she is gone.

She added: “I take every day one day at a time.

“Life can be cruel and it is heartbreaking.

“My advice is don’t take life for granted.”

Visit https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/emma-barnard and Edith’s Purse on Facebook for further information.

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