Katie Kitson, fundraising and marketing manager at Hunts Community Cancer Network, reflects on a very successful year and details some of the charity's plans for the future

At Hunts Community Cancer Network (HCCN), we want to express our heartfelt gratitude for your continued support.

As 2023 comes to a close, we want to take a moment to say a very special Christmas thank you.

Your generosity and commitment have made a difference in the lives of cancer patients and their families.

Together, we have achieved incredible milestones and provided vital support through our various activities, support groups, conferences, and events.

We look forward to continuing our mission to improve the wellbeing and nutrition of cancer patients. Join us in making a difference today.

The Hunts Post: Jan Davis, chair of Hunts Community Cancer NetworkJan Davis, chair of Hunts Community Cancer Network (Image: HCCN)

We were chosen as finalists for the Health Inequalities Challenge Prize that Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Integrated Care System ran with Cambridgeshire Community Foundation, which meant we were given £4,000 to conduct research into what matters for those going through cancer.

The report that was created highlighted just how loved HCCN is by both those who use the services and external clinical staff. It also highlighted some inequalities that those going through cancer face, which we are already creating plans to address.

On November 22, we presented our findings of the report, along with seven other finalists. After the presentations (and a spot of lunch), three prizes were handed out to help with continued development from said findings.

We are unbelievably excited and proud to share that we were chosen as the winners and awarded £20,000.

Jackie who many of you may have spoken to during this research, was the one who presented the findings and also there to collect the award with Jan.

The Hunts Post: Volunteers from the Hunts Community Cancer Network had a fantastic time when they joined the St Neots Santa Sleigh on November 30.    Volunteers from the Hunts Community Cancer Network had a fantastic time when they joined the St Neots Santa Sleigh on November 30.     (Image: HCCN)

Thank you to every single person who has taken part in our research, we are very excited about implementing our new plans, which we will share in due course, but right now we are numb with excitement and wanted you to hear this amazing news.

Thank you to every single person who has taken part in our research, we are very excited about implementing our new plans.

Whilst we will share more information about our plans in due course, we are happy to share that the trustees have incorporated many of the recommendations in the report into our three-year action plan to ensure we respond to this feedback.

We will be developing additional programmes, such as a refreshed buddy scheme, and as you may have seen on Facebook, we are recruiting a programme manager to continue the excellent work that Sallie has put into developing our activities programme.

The Hunts Post: Volunteers from the Hunts Community Cancer Network had a fantastic time when they joined the St Neots Santa Sleigh on November 30.    Volunteers from the Hunts Community Cancer Network had a fantastic time when they joined the St Neots Santa Sleigh on November 30.     (Image: HCCN)

We thank everyone who volunteers for HCCN, the nursing team, our activity leaders, and all who make HCCN such a great place to be.

This Christmas, instead of sending Christmas cards, why not donate the money you would have spent to charity.

By donating money to HCCN you will be helping us to continue our efforts in providing completely free services to those going through a cancer journey, allowing them to live their best life, despite cancer.

To donate please follow the JustGiving link: https://www.justgiving.com/hccn

With gratitude and support, wishing you a wonderful festive season.

Jan, Neil, Graham, Angela, Gill and Sallie, your trustee team

Thank you to everyone who can donate at this time of year. Love from everyone at HCCN.

The Hunts Post: Volunteers from the Hunts Community Cancer Network had a fantastic time when they joined the St Neots Santa Sleigh on November 30.    Volunteers from the Hunts Community Cancer Network had a fantastic time when they joined the St Neots Santa Sleigh on November 30.     (Image: HCCN)