Fortuneswell Cancer Trust – Highlights of 2025 / 2026
Sitting down to write this short précis of the Fortuneswell Cancer Trust’s year brings about some mixed emotions. On the positive side we seem to be going from strength to strength financially and, as a result, have been able to go further than ever to help support and resource the Dorset County Hospital (DCH) chemotherapy and radiotherapy teams. On the negative side, however, it was with great sadness that we learnt of the death of one of the committee’s stalwarts, Dr David Evans. It would be inappropriate for this AGM to pass without me, once again, acknowledging and celebrating David’s phenomenal input to the Fortuneswell Cancer Trust. We will continue to miss his seemingly endless drive and enthusiasm for the cause of helping those with cancer in Dorset. His smile and chuckle were infectious and his ability to sell raffle tickets at Swingtime was legendary. ‘We shall not see his like again’.
If David were here with us now, he would be no doubt be muttering under his breath ‘that’s all very well and good Peter but get on with it’ so here we go.
Over the last twelve months our income has doubled and we are so very grateful to all those who have donated either financially or in person over the last year. We appreciate that for many ‘the cost of living crisis’ continues unabated and, with rising fuel costs, this is likely to get even worse. Once again, I would like to take this opportunity to give a massive and heart felt ‘Thank You’ to everyone who has been able to help us over the last twelve months. The Fortuneswell Cancer Trust has no paid staff or premises to fund and I can reassure you all that every penny donated is valued and goes directly towards helping to improve the care of cancer patients locally.
Once again “Swingtime in the Gardens” last summer was a tremendous success in that it not only raised over £2,800 but also helped maintain our public profile in the area. I make no apology in repeating my sentiment last year in that, in my opinion, no mention of ‘Swingtime’ should ever be made without acknowledging and thanking Loric Collins for his skill and ability to organise this superb spectacle year after year.
The newly refurbished Fortuneswell Chemotherapy Unit is now ‘open for business’ and looks absolutely stunning. You may recall that we donated £100,000 towards its refit and a further £50,000 towards the upgrading of the Unit’s pharmacy department. In my opinion this was money very well spent and has hopefully helped to improve the experience for those receiving chemotherapy as well as the working conditions for all the staff on the Unit.
Our funding of the Fortuneswell Chemotherapy Outreach service at Bridport Community Hospital ceased in May of last year but, because of its success, the service provision was maintained by DCH FT. However, because of the increasing demand for chemotherapy at DCH and the shortage of adequately trained staff, we were made aware that it was highly likely that this service would have close. Fortunately, because of some generous donations, we were able to step in and agree with the hospital that, in return for us fully funding an additional chemotherapy nurse at DCH, they would maintain the outreach clinic at Bridport. We have committed to fund this post for eighteen months initially but our hope and expectation is that we will be able to extend this to at least two years in due course.
In addition to this, because of the generosity of our supporters, we have also been able to commit to continue funding the part-time Oncology Counsellor at DCH for a further year. This service has been well received by both patients and staff alike and has slashed the waiting list for counselling for those affected by cancer.
Once again this year, the Trust has also provided medical equipment for the Fortuneswell Unit and Ward and continues to help fund staff to attend appropriate updating and professional development courses.
Finally, we have continued to fund and support the Clinical Reflexology Service at Dorset County Hospital. The care, kindness, gentleness and attention provided by the reflexology team is very much appreciated by all they see and treat and we are fully aware that they are outstanding ambassadors for and supporters of the Fortuneswell Cancer Trust.
As last year, I remain ‘upbeat’ for the future. One of the reasons that I am so optimistic is that the Trust has an incredible band of committee members and supporters, all of whom play a vital role in all our successes. Once again, on a personal note, I would like to say a special ‘thank you’ to our two ‘honorary secretaries’, Marjorie and Sue, and our ‘honorary treasurer’, Gena. Ladies, please be assured that your tireless work behind the scenes does not go unnoticed and is very much appreciated.
Unfortunately, cancer is not going away any time soon and I feel that our input into helping the DCH oncology and radiology staff to look after those affected by this horrible illness is going to be needed for a long time yet.