Charity marks decade of gifts for cancer patients

The co-founder of a charity that delivers gift packs to cancer patients said she "did not realise the need was so great" as it marked a decade of support.

The Lewis Foundation, based in Northampton, was founded by Lorraine and Lee Lewis after the latter's mother spent a period in hospital for cancer treatment.

Lorraine Lewis said the charity now worked in 17 hospitals across the Midlands, supporting people in 83 different wards.

"No matter what age you are, what background you come from… everybody needs some support when they're in that situation," she said.

The charity provides a range of care packages that patients can pick from, with each having been curated with the input of patients and hospital staff.

Gift packs typically contain toiletries, comfort items, books and handwritten messages to support patients during hospital stays.

Lorraine Lewis said that it felt like a "lifetime" since the idea came about on the Talbot Butler ward at Northampton General Hospital.

"I remember seeing a lot of isolation and loneliness for adult cancer patients and just thinking how can we make people feel a little bit better and just bring some joy and happiness to the ward," she explained.

"We gave gifts to people just to cheer them up. When she [Lee's mother] was in remission we thought, 'we love doing this and it helps' - and it's been going ever since."

She said the pair expanded their operation after realising that patients from Northampton may need to travel to other hospitals for treatment of their specific cancer.

"What is really lovely is seeing the surprise that people have on seeing that a stranger wanted to help them," she added.

The Lewis Foundation has delivered thousands of gift packs to adult cancer patients and last year celebrated raising more than £1.2m to support its work.

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