Charity supporting Milton Keynes patients appeals for support ahead of fifth birthday

Lorraine and Lee Lewis source, package and hand deliver free gifts and support packs to adult cancer patients not only in Milton Keynes, but also to other hospitals in Northamptonshire and Nottinghamshire.

They target items that would be difficult for patients to buy themselves, or otherwise unaffordable.

Now, the duo behind award winning cancer support charity are using this year’s Covid lockdown to focus on planning for the future and supporting more patients.

As the charity’s fifth birthday approaches, the couple are focusing on appealing for more support and reducing their charity’s costs – which include paying for monthly storage and financing their delivery van and petrol costs.

Lorraine explained: “Hospital can be a sad, frightening, and lonely experience for cancer patients – especially during Covid. Since we launched, we have distributed more than 63,000 gift packs, which we call ‘Bags of Hope’, to 10 hospitals in Milton Keynes, Luton, Nottingham and Northamptonshire.

“Our focus this year is on sustainability – making sure we are here for years to come.”

For this reason, Lorraine and Lee are now appealing for support from local businesses to cover costs such as:

Website design support – the charity created its own website five years ago and is now looking to create a clean, slicker one – less words, and an easy user journey. All the content is written, and photos gathered. A new website is now top of the wish list.

Storage – the charity needs circa 1,500sq ft of storage (for donations, gift packs, its marquee, and a space for volunteers to make up the packs) and it must have its own secure entrance. Currently they pay more than £900/month. Can anyone help?

A contribution towards its van and insurance £550/month. The van is proving increasingly essential as the duo now deliver packs and visit patients across the country.

In exchange for all donations and offers of help, The Lewis Foundation is pledging to thank all supporters by writing press releases, including company logos on their website, writing blogs, running social media campaigns and much more.

Lee explained: “When we first launched The Lewis Foundation, we had no idea how big we would become, how many people would need us and how much positive reactions we would have, not just from patients and their families, but also from the Charity Commission, and our local communities. We want to keep growing and to continue helping more people. More importantly we want to make sure we are future-proof and are here for many, many years to come. That is why we are making this appeal. “

The Lewis Foundation was initially inspired by Lee’s mum, who underwent years of treatment before finally being declared cancer free in 2016. Lee and wife Lorraine, recognised a need for patient support, hence the launch of their charity which has won many accolades … including, in 2020, a highly prestigious British Citizen Award, ‘Rising Star’ at the East Midlands Charity Awards and the Points of Light award, awarded by Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

If you can help, please get in touch by emailing [email protected] or telephone: 01604 532373.