The Taunton Group of the national charity Cancer Research UK came together in 1974 when a small number of local volunteers wanted to raise both money and awareness of the widespread evils of cancer. In 2024 the Group celebrates 50 years of fundraising and progress with a Gala Anniversary Dinner at Oake Manor Golf Club on Saturday 21 September to which friends and well-wishers are warmly invited.
Since its inception, the Group has raised no less than over £2.8 million pounds for cancer research. Initially these funds went into a national “pot” and could be used anywhere in the UK. Latterly however the national charity has encouraged local groups to support local research, and the Taunton Group has been proud to support two projects being carried out at The Beacon Centre of Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton. These are two clinical trials involving some 150 cancer sufferers from Taunton and West Somerset; one trial is researching treatments for prostate cancer in men, whilst the second is similarly researching treatments for ovarian cancer in women.
The Group’s target for this objective is a massive £50,000 each year, which is raised in various ways. It organizes a number of events each year such as Bridge Days, Fashion Shows, a pre Christmas “Big Breakfast”, and benefits from store and street collections. A really wonderful boost to fundraising has been the opportunity to hold collections from passers by at the Roadchef Service Station on the M5; over six years this has yielded over £80,000 for which the Group is hugely grateful to Roadchef. Another vital income stream is monies received via local funeral directors where a bereaved family has nominated Cancer Research UK for In Memoriam donations.
Tickets for the Anniversary Dinner are £35 each, to include a welcome drink, a superb three course meal, (shortish) speeches, entertainment, a prize draw, a cabaret and dancing; they can be obtained from Mrs C Knapman on 01823 618299 or 07443 548977. Do come and join a wonderful celebration!
