Learning to put others first

10/03/2008

NEARLY everyone is touched by cancer at some stage in their lives, whether personally battling the disease or losing loved ones to the illness.

No-one knows this more than school dinner lady Sasha Hamilton, from Kenton, Newcastle, who is leading a bid to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Sasha lost her friend’s husband Tony Forster, from Gosforth, to cancer exactly this time last year, after he developed brain cancer 18 months ago.

And last week dozens of children aged four to 10 from La Sagesse School in Jesmond, where Sasha works, took part in their version of Bring A Pounds To Work Day in support of the popular dinner lady.

The regionwide event, run by Century Radio, urges companies to get involved by donating a pound on the day, which will go towards improving specialist healthcare, support and advice for cancer patients.

At La Sagesse, bringing in a pound entitled the children to a non-uniform day on Thursday, and cake and biscuit stalls to raise even more for Macmillan.

“I always said I would get involved in raising money for cancer support since my best friend Linzi Forster lost her husband,” said Sasha. “The Macmillan nurses were excellent and made the experience so much more bearable.

“My brother also had to have an operation when he was 35 because of cancer, and I also required breast screening from a younger age due to having cancer within the family.

“It’s a problem that affects so many people, so I wanted to do my bit, and see how much the school could help the cause.”

The Bring A Pound To Work Day event, which began this year, aims to raise thousands of pounds across the North East to help make a difference to people and their families who are in need of medical, emotional and financial support due to the life-threatening illness.

Sasha, 37, believes taking part in the event within the school is beneficial both for the Macmillan organisation and for the children.

“A lot of the parents were enthusiastic about the event,” said Sasha. “I think it is important for children to get involved and be aware, as these days there are a lot of children who are losing their parents to cancer, such as Linzi’s son when Tony passed away.

“It was so tragic as he used to be so active. He was a good footballer, but when the cancer spread, he lost his life. It’s such as shame as it ruins so many people’s lives.

“We are trying to make the day as fun as possible, but it is also good to know that the pupils will be able to have a better understanding of cancer and how it affects people. “

Administration assistant Teresa McQuade, 52, who works in La Sagesse’s junior department, is pleased to have the children involved in the fundraising event.

“I had lost my sister to cancer, and Macmillan was very supportive at the time,” said Teresa.

“So many people are affected by cancer every day, including many of us at the school, and we are all here to support each other, and to get involved in raising money and awareness.

“As a school, we also take part in the Children’s Cancer Run to raise money for cancer research. It is important for children to be educated on what goes on in the greater world.”

The North East’s support continues as many other companies and organisations donated on the day, including the MetroCentre and Northumbrian Water.

Bring A Pound To Work day will also collect vital funds for community project the Wear1 Fund and baby hospice Zoe’s Place, in Middlesbrough.

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