Community shows continued support to fundraise for Downham Market woman Heather Bellamy's treatment
Almost £30,000 has been raised to help get a Downham woman the life-saving treatment she needs thanks to the continued support of the community around her.
Dozens of people took part in bucket collections and bag packing at Tesco in Downham on Saturday and Sunday, raising more than £2,000 to help former nurse Heather Bellamy, 48, who has a rare type of cancer.
The Hope for Heather campaign began after an appeal to raise £250,000 for mother-of-four Heather, who has acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), was launched by her family in January to allow her to travel to America where an advanced medicine is available.
A post on the Hope for Heather Facebook page said: “Well done to everybody involved and a massive thank you to all of the kind helpers, generous customers and to Tesco themselves for kindly allowing the collections and bag packing to take place.
“Also a MASSIVE well done to all children involved – I hope you’re all getting a nice treat tonight.”
Members of the community have well and truly been rallying round for Heather, with a skydive and a 200-mile walk among the fundraising events planned.
Jenny Williams, who is Heather’s niece, and her dad will be skydiving to raise funds on Saturday, March 23.
Next month, two members of staff from Arbuckles in Downham, Chris Heyes and Andy Lucraft-Townley, will be taking on a 200-mile walk from Arbuckles to Cardiff over eight days.
So far, they have raised almost £3,000 for Heather’s appeal, and have been supported by businesses and individuals who have supplied them with equipment and accommodation for the trip.
The pair will also hold a weekly raffle on their Facebook page ‘Chris and Andy head to Cardiff’ to raise further funds.
Meanwhile, a number of businesses across West Norfolk have Hope for Heather collection tins – a list of which can be found on the Hope for Heather Facebook page.
River Island’s Lynn branch is currently holding a raffle to win a £50 gift card, and a competition to guess the name of a pair of jeans to win a pair, with a winning name drawn on Saturday.
To donate to the appeal to raise £250,000 for Heather, visit www.gofundme.com/auntie-heather039s-last-chance.