Paper Moon Day Nurseries raise £2,156.51 for St Barnabas Lincolnshire Hospice as their Operations Manager battles cancer
Youngsters and staff from Midlands based Paper Moon Day Nurseries have been raising money for St Barnabas Lincolnshire Hospice in honour of their Operations Manager Dee Mansell.
Dee, aged 54, from Glentham underwent a double mastectomy in May 2011 after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010. Dee was given the all clear after undergoing an aggressive course of chemotherapy which saw her lose her hair, eyelashes and nails.
However, in January 2013, Dee was tragically diagnosed with lung cancer.
Dee said: “I had gone to the doctors because a pea-sized lump had appeared on my neck. I didn’t think the lump would be anything sinister but a CT scan showed the lump to be cancerous and that the cancer had spread to my lungs.
“This time round I am taking a trial drug and the side effects are both severe and debilitating. The medication makes me nauseous and sick and I have lost over three-and-a-half stone as a result.”
Dee explains: “St Barnabas Lincolnshire Hospice have provided real support at a time when I have needed it the most. The Day Therapy Centre in Gainsborough has provided me with access to Indian head massage, Reiki and relaxation techniques which has helped me to combat my restlessness. In addition to complimentary therapies I have also relished the social support the centre provides as I am able to talk with other people who are in similar circumstances to my own.”
After learning about their colleague’s battles with cancer, staff from Paper Moon Nurseries decided to show their support, by raising money for St Barnabas Lincolnshire Hospice, whose services Dee regularly accesses.
Each of the six Paper Moon Nurseries got involved to collectively raise £2,156.51 through a host of fundraising events; from sponsored walks to fun days held in each of the nurseries.
The Paper Moon Nursery based on Boultham Park Road in Lincoln raised £1,082 alone through their ‘Dee’s Day’ fundraiser held on 13th April 2013.
Emma Gray, Nursery Manager for Paper Moon Nursery at Boultham Park, said:
“I have known Dee for 16 years and so hearing about her struggles with cancer was difficult but I wanted to do something to show Dee how much we all cared. ‘Dee’s Day’ was a pink themed fundraiser, the staff wore pink ‘Dee’s Day’ T-Shirts, there was an entirely pink raffle and children’s favourite Peppa Pig made an appearance.
“The day was attended by the children and supported by many of the parents. Dee and her family came along despite Dee being very poorly at the time. The day ended beautifully when we all gathered together to release pink balloons emblazoned with names of lost loved ones.”
Dee concludes: “It was really touching to hear about all the wonderful events that Paper Moon were putting on in my honour and to raise money for St Barnabas, who have really helped me during this difficult time. Sometimes you hear the word ‘hospice’ and it can be quite a frightening thought but actually the place is far from frightening and is in fact warm and welcoming.
The Day Therapy centre I attend is a real life line to me and so many others but it is funded entirely through charitable donations. Therefore fundraising events, like the ones Paper Moon put on, really are vital to ensuring that the care and services St Barnabas Lincolnshire Hospice provides, can continue.”