Two-time breast cancer survivor raises over £16,500 for patients and staff

Community comes together to raise vital funds to support our patients and staff at Chilworth Ward, which sees over 600 chemotherapy patients every week.

Earlier in February, Katie Mayne, an ex-patient at Royal Surrey, and Top of the Pops backing dancer, Becky Jackson, organised an energetic 80s-themed dance workout. Over 150 wonderful people turned up and raised over £16,500 – all in support of chemotherapy patients and the dedicated staff at Royal Surrey’s Chilworth Ward.

Sallie Barker, MBE and Mayor of Guildford, launched the event, followed by an afternoon of dancing to classic hits like It Must Be Love by Madness and Sister Sledge’s We Are Family. The atmosphere was electric, with twirling multi-coloured ribbons, lively music, and smiles all around. An afterparty and auction raised an additional £1,200 thanks to generous bidders and the support of local businesses.
All the funds raised will support the new Chilworth Ward Wellbeing Fund, enhancing care for 600 cancer patients receiving chemotherapy each week and supporting the ward’s 35 hardworking staff. 

Katie, who received treatment in Chilworth Ward, organised the fundraiser to thank the staff. She told us: 

“I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve all achieved: establishing a new fund to help chemotherapy patients and staff. The fund will cover thoughtful extras that go beyond NHS resources, such as radios for relaxing music, massage pads for back comfort, newspapers and crosswords for distraction, and a coffee machine for staff. We need to look after them – so they can look after us!”

Katie also shared plans for future fundraising efforts, including partnering with local artists to create landscape paintings and photographs for the ward – scientifically prove to raise spirits. These pieces will be turned into greetings cards for sale, with the original artworks eventually auctioned to raise further funds.

She added: "We are all very lucky to have world-class care on our doorstep, with people travelling from miles around to Royal Surrey Hospital. The Chilworth Ward Wellbeing Fund will provide the ‘little extras’, supporting our patients and staff. This is people helping people, and showing that love, truly is, in the air."

Sarah Etherington, Associate Director of Nursing, Oncology, attended the dance workout and said: 

“What an amazing time we had! It was such a feel-good event. We are so overwhelmed with everyone’s kindness: the difference this will make to patients and staff will be incredible.”

Huge thank you to Katie, Becky, and everyone who supported the event including the local businesses. Special thanks to Imelda Turnock for the lovely photography on the day. 

Would you like to transform the future of cancer care? 

Donate to Katie's JustGiving >

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