Cancer Care Centre Patients to Benefit From Donation

Following their amazing fundraising efforts, a local family have made a substantial donation to Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (WWL) to Three Wishes Cancer Care Fund in memory of a beloved family member.

Elle Smith, from Lowton, Wigan, alongside her family and friends, donated £5,600 in memory of her mother-in-law, Jackie Kinsella who, at 61-years-old, was diagnosed with breast cancer.

After a year of treatment of surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy at the Cancer Care Centre, Royal Albert Edward Infirmary and at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust in Manchester, Jackie was approached to take part in a research trial, however it was then when Jackie and her family received the devastating news that she was diagnosed with secondary stage four bone cancer. Jackie sadly passed away in November 2022.

“Before Jackie passed, she told us she wanted the money that we raised to go to WWL’s Three Wishes Cancer Care Fund as she believed that this would help the comfort and treatments of patients, like herself,” said Elle.

At Jackie’s funeral, the family asked for donations in lieu of flowers, as the family knew this meant more to her, and from this, raised a staggering £4,100. This amount was then bolstered by Elle’s completion of the Warrington Half Marathon, where an additional £1,500 was added to the pot.

The fundraising for Jackie’s cause doesn’t stop there though, as this coming weekend, Grange Farm in Lowton are hosting a Christmas event, which includes a traditional Christmas Carol service, Golborne Brass Band, a festive performance from Louby Lou a popular Wigan Children's entertainer who has also supported the fundraising, a visit from Father Christmas and other seasonal activities with a percentage of the ticket sales being donated to Three Wishes Cancer Care Fund.

Anne-Marie Banks, WWL's Macmillan Information and Support Services Manager, says “We would like to give a huge thank you to Elle and her family and friends for their continuous support to our cancer services.”

“The money donated by the family will really benefit our patients and will help us purchase new chemotherapy chairs. It has also allowed us to improve services for patients who are receiving complementary therapy after treatment, with the purchase of a new therapy bed and essential oils.”

There are a number of ways in which you can make a donation to support WWL’s charitable activities. More information on this can be found on the WWL website - www.wwl.nhs.uk/making-a-donation.

The photograph includes Elle (purple top), with her father-in-law and Jackie’s partner, Phil. The lady behind them is from Grange Farm, the lady holding the instrument is from Golborne Brass Band, and Megan Barnes is in the Three Wishes red top, alongside Albert the Bear, the Three Wishes mascot.