Nicole's sweet delight's for Teenage Cancer Trust

20/08/09

Nicole Dryburgh, an inspirational 20-year-old from Seasalter is organising her latest fundraising drive – a Chocolate Ball - for the charity, Teenage Cancer Trust.

Nicole, who has had cancer three times in her life, is aiming to raise £100,000 to build a specialist Teenage Cancer Trust unit at the Royal Marsden Hospital in Surrey.

Tickets are now on sale for the Chocolate Ball, which is taking place on Saturday 12th September at Broadstairs Pavilion, Broadstairs and includes dancing by Britain’s Got Talent semi finalist’s, Flava.

Nicole was diagnosed with a rare type of cancer when she was 11, relapsed when she was 13 and again at 17. Despite losing her sight, hearing and mobility, she has thrown herself into raising money for other young people with cancer. Setting an incredible wish-list of achievements, she has already ticked off: having a book published; doing an abseil; meeting Prince Harry; holding a monkey; being in OK! Magazine; shopping in New York; and having her own documentary. Next on the list is a sky-dive.

Nicole said: “I’m really excited about the Chocolate Ball, it’s going to be a great night. All the money I raise will go towards Nicole’s Fund, which is helping Teenage Cancer Trust with their £3million fundraising appeal to build their new unit at the Marsden. My fundraising is going really well so far, but this will be the icing on the cake. There will be a lovely drinks reception and three course dinner, followed by a dancing with a live band, two chocolate fountains and even pink chocolate!”

On top of this there will be a tree of wishes, auction and dance show. Tickets can be purchased for £50 or £500 for a table of 10 by calling Helen Haynes on Helen Haynes on 07943 817274 or helenhaynes@teenagecancertrust.org

Every day in the UK, six teenagers are told they have cancer. This is a rising figure and there are already more young people than children with the disease. These young people often get a raw deal, receiving hospital treatment in inappropriate facilities catering for children or the elderly.

Teenage Cancer Trust focuses on the needs of teenagers and young adults with cancer by providing specialist teenage units in NHS hospitals designed to give teenagers the very best chance of a positive outcome. As well as state-of-the-art facilities to keep patients occupied during long stays in hospital, the units provide an environment where teenagers can meet others in a similar situation.

The charity estimates that, with the units they currently have around the UK, only half of all teenagers diagnosed with cancer now have access to the dedicated, specialist support they provide. But Teenage Cancer Trust’s aim is to build enough units so that, by 2012, every teenager will be treated on one.

Donations to Nicole’s Fund can be made at www.justgiving.com/nicolesfund

ENDS

For press enquiries please contact Emily Wheldon at Teenage Cancer Trust on 0207 612 0703 / 07534 213 794

For more information on Teenage Cancer Trust visit www.teenagecancertrust.org

Teenage Cancer Trust is a registered charity, no. 1062559