The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
A woman who beat cervical cancer in just six months has raised £2,555 to say thanks for the support she received.
Mandy Chillingworth was diagnosed with cancer on May 15 last year and was told she would need 12 weeks of intensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy at Peterborough City Hospital.
She also had two brachytherapy operations at Addenbrookes Hospital, which failed.
Mandy, who lives in Pinchbeck, completed her treatment on August 12 and had to wait 12 weeks for the result of her final MRI scan, which showed the tumour had dispersed.
Mandy said: “During my treatment I was overwhelmed by the support given to me by family and friends including many people in Pinchbeck who have known me and my family for years.
“My husband Mel and I wanted to give something back for the exceptional treatment and help given to us at what was a very frightening time, so we decided to organise a Valentine dance and hog roast.
“We didn’t even have to advertise the event. I posted it on my Facebook page and the requests for tickets kept coming in, selling out in a couple of weeks.
“Tickets were £10 with all proceeds going to Cancer Research UK.
“Local businesses, family, friends and villagers supplied more than 75 raffle prizes which kept arriving on my doorstep right up to a couple of hours before the event.
“The Spar in Pinchbeck donated bread rolls, Bakkavor supplied pasta, coleslaw and potato salads, we, as owners of Pinchbeck Pig Roast Company, supplied the hog roast and Dave Mustoe who lives in the village was our DJ for the evening.
“Alan Stacey paid for the hire of the village hall and Peterborough Prison donated £100 shopping vouchers.
“The range of prizes was exceptional. My niece made a beautiful Valentine cake which was auctioned off and made £60 on the night with another £30 added as the new owner asked for donations for a slice of it!
“I want to say a really big thank you to all those people that made this event the fantastic night that it became.
“We raised £2,555 and this is all down to the power of family, friendship and community spirit which I can assure you is well and truly alive in Pinchbeck.
“I’ve already had people asking for tickets for next year!”
