Cancer patients given 2,000 gift packs a month

A charity that delivers thousands of gift packs to cancer patients has celebrated raising £1.2m since it was founded nine years ago.

The Lewis Foundation, based in Northampton, provides the packs to adult patients in hospitals across Northamptonshire and the Midlands.

More than 100 guests gathered on Thursday to celebrate the fundraising achievements.

Lorraine Lewis, co-founder and chief executive of the foundation, said: "We are incredibly proud of what we've achieved. It's been a real team effort."

The Lewis Foundation was started in 2016 by Ms Lewis and her husband Lee, who went through more than four years of hospital visits when Mr Lewis's mother underwent cancer treatment.

They originally provided patients with a choice of six packs on a ward at Northampton General Hospital.

"We wanted to focus on what we could do to brighten people's day while they were in hospital and bring in simple gifts and support for them, to let them know they are not alone," Ms Lewis said.

The foundation now provides about 2,000 packs each month, with patients at 17 hospitals able to pick from a list of 29 options.

The charity said that for some people in hospital, its volunteers were their only regular visitors.

On Thursday, the foundation held an event to mark its fundraising over the past nine years.

Ms Lewis added: "Being able to raise an incredible £1.2m is evidence of the community's belief in our mission and the unwavering commitment of our army of volunteers and supporters."

In November, the charity took over the café at Northampton Museum & Art Gallery, and this week's event also celebrated its official launch.

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