Two friends and colleagues of Verwood Hub employee Jackie Smith have really gone the extra mile.
Denise Craddock and Vicki Gower recently ran the New Forest Marathon, raising money on behalf of Jackie’s granddaughter Josie for the Piam Brown Oncology and Haemotology Centre in Southampton. Josie is currently in
remission, after six months of salvage chemotherapy as part of her treatment for Langerhans cell histiocytosis.
Josie’s mother Judith said, “Josie spent four months at Piam Brown, and they gave us fantastic support. The work they do helps children cope with the treatment they are receiving, and really makes a difference.”
Jackie Smith has previously organised events for local children receiving cancer treatment.
Recognising that the contact time with other children is limited in order to prevent the spread of infection due to lowered immune systems, the Hub, with the support of its general manager Jacqui Sainsbury, closed its doors for a short time to accommodate a trip for affected children to visit Father Christmas last December, leaving with a bag of goodies and beaming smiles.
At the Verwood Hub on 27 February, Denise presented a cheque for £400 raised on behalf of Judith and Josie, to be given to the Piam Brown ward in Southampton.
