In 2019, Clare lost her dad after his long journey with cancer. Watching him face this disease with such strength, resilience and positivity deeply impacted her.
The Lingen Davies Cancer Fund’s mission to support those affected by cancer resonated with Clare on a personal level, and she knew she wanted to contribute in a meaningful way as best she could.
Clare said her dad suffered with cancer for around 15 years. He had all his treatment at Lingen Davies Cancer Centre which included chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and biopsies.
She said her dad was always fine going into treatments and such a positive person, but it was really hard for her mum as the support person alongside her dad for all his appointments, Clare wants to try and help with ideas and ways to help and support the supporters as well as those receiving the treatments.
“As a freelance graphic designer with over 20 years experience, I wanted to use my skills to help in any way I could and help communicate charity events and ways in which others can support this great charity,” said Clare.
“By volunteering my time, I hope to make a difference and take some of the graphics and admin workload off the team, which then frees up their time to carry out the fundraising and organising of all the Lingen Davies events which make such an impact in the lives of cancer patients and their families. In our region,” she added.
Clare is particularly impressed with the support and wellbeing programmes that the charity grant-funds and supports for patients, such as yoga, Tai Chi, and horticultural therapies. Lingen Davies also works with the team behind the Men’s Sheds support group at the West Midlands Showground.
“If Dad had still been here, he would have loved the men’s shed project and he would have definitely got involved, I think they would have struggled to get rid of him!! Seeing all the programmes and schemes we didn’t know about at the time Dad was having his treatments makes me want to help promote them so that others can benefit.”
So far Clare has been helping the charity by working on Bins for Boys, programme, and event literature and well as working on the website and helping with social media designs. She will also be looking at a project to revamp the graphics in the Cancer Centre, which will help the supporters and family members.
“Being part of the Lingen Davies Cancer Fund volunteering team gives me the opportunity to honour my dad’s memory and contribute to a cause that’s very close to my heart.
I’m really enjoying it; the team are so lovely. I do so many different projects as a freelance designer, but when I am part of the team at Lingen Davies I get a lot of job satisfaction because I am finishing things and ticking things off their list, so it feels like I am making a real difference to their workloads. I have missed being part of an office team, the social side of things is really beneficial for me and my mental health, (freelancing can be such a lonely job) as well as the help I am able to give to the charity itself. I would encourage anyone who is thinking of volunteering and using their skills for a good cause to get involved! It’s not just about making the tea! (which is also very important)”
