Chris French

On 13 July 2020, Ann Neale’s life was shattered when her son, Chris, passed away at the age of 39 after a battle with bowel cancer. For the family, and especially for Chris’ wife, Elise, the two years leading up to his death were filled with heartache and uncertainty. During this time, Chris expressed a heartfelt wish: he wanted Ann to fundraise to support the University of Birmingham’s Clinical Cancer Research team (now known as the family’s charity). At the time, there was no treatment available for BRAF, a form of bowel cancer, and Chris hoped that through the funds raised, future patients might have the chance for better treatment and longer, healthier lives. Determined to honour his wish, Ann promised her son she would do whatever it took to bring about change.

Following Chris’ death, Ann and her family were determined to fulfil his legacy, and the fundraising efforts began with their entire network rallying around them. From work colleagues and social groups to neighbours and friends, the message spread far and wide. The family, guided by Chris’ hope for a better future for others, found focus and strength through their collective efforts.

In October 2021, the fundraising journey began with a bang when Ann’s son-in-law, Gareth, and his friend Colin ran the Leicester Half Marathon in the pouring rain and freezing cold. Despite the challenges, Gareth completed the race, even losing a toenail in the process! Their efforts were greatly appreciated and marked the first of many successful fundraising ventures.

The following month, Ann and her family organised a Christmas raffle, which was met with overwhelming support. Friends, family and local businesses pitched in with generous donations and ticket sales soared. In addition to the raffle, Ann’s daughter, Elizabeth, raised funds by making and selling hand-crafted wooden Christmas baubles in memory of loved ones. The baubles were displayed at the St Mary’s Church Christmas Tree Festival, where Elizabeth’s tree won second place. The personal touch brought joy to those who donated, with each person receiving their bauble as a lasting memento.

By June 2022, Ann had set herself another challenge – making 80 jars of jam and marmalade, which, combined with baby plants from her garden, were sold at a local event. The entire community rallied to make the sale a huge success, raising even more funds for the cause.

In July 2022, Ann’s family hosted a Charity Open Garden Day. With its raffle, tombola, children’s treasure hunt, plant sales and delicious homemade cakes, the event turned into a joyous, sunny day of community support. The success of the garden day, along with ongoing sales of jams, marmalades and chutneys in November 2022, further boosted their fundraising efforts.

The following months brought new opportunities to raise awareness and funds. In December 2022, Ann organised a second Christmas raffle, with an impressive 72 prizes donated, including a cottage holiday in Wales. This raised £2,050. In April 2023, a wine hamper raffle raised £645 in time for the King’s Coronation. Later that year, in September 2023, Ann’s daughter Elizabeth and her friend Katie took on the Thames Bridges Trek in London on the hottest day of the year. Their dedication and determination helped further increase the fundraising total.

In December 2023, Elizabeth and Gareth hosted a Christmas scene model village at their home. The intricate display, featuring snow scenes and twinkling lights, delighted visitors, especially children. With donations from attendees, the event raised £240 for the cause.

In January 2024, Ann and her family had the opportunity to visit the University of Birmingham Clinical Cancer Research Unit, where they saw first-hand the inspiring work being done. It was reassuring to know that there is now hope for BRAF cancer patients, something that Chris had wished for so fervently. During this visit, Ann presented a cheque for an incredible £10,086. This donation, made possible by the support of family, friends, colleagues and local businesses, will help fund ongoing cancer research.

In addition to the cheque, Ann’s recent jam and plant sale raised another £455.94, and an ongoing JustGiving page has brought in another £1,170. Ann’s fundraising efforts will continue, with a garden party planned for next year.

Fundraising tips and advice

For others considering their own fundraising journeys, Ann offers some valuable tips. When serving refreshments, she suggests asking for donations instead of setting fixed prices, as donations are often more generous and eliminate the hassle of handling money. She also emphasises the importance of involving family, friends and the local community, as those who have experienced the loss of a loved one may be eager to contribute. Ann also encourages those planning raffles to ensure they have the proper lottery registration from their local council.

Looking forward

Through unwavering dedication, Ann Neale has turned her grief into action, creating a lasting legacy in memory of her son, Chris. Her fundraising efforts continue to inspire those around her, proving that even in the face of overwhelming loss, one person’s determination can spark hope for many others.