Charity says thank you to Exeter’s fund-raising coffee shop

A woman from Woodbury near Exeter who lost her husband to a brain tumour one year ago has visited local coffee shop Coffee#1 in Princesshay Shopping Centre, Exeter, to say a big thank you to staff who are currently helping raise funds for Hammer Out, the South West’s only brain tumour charity, through the sale of charity gingerbread men.

From August 4 to November 2, each time a Gingerbread man is sold for £1 in Exeter’s Coffee#1 shop or any of the award-winning coffee chain’s 34 other shops in the South West and South Wales, a 50p donation will be made to Hammer Out, which supports brain tumour patients and their families with practical guidance, emotional support, information about treatments or coping with bereavement and much more. 

Sue Butland experienced the charity's support following her husband Doug's brain tumour diagnosis in October 2011 at the age of 50. 

Sue and Doug made the most of every day of Doug's final year of life following his diagnosis - despite the mobility and communication difficulties that Doug experienced as a result of his brain tumour - going to London for the Jubilee celebrations, attending concerts and holidaying in Paris, Scotland and North Wales among other places.  They also celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary before Doug lost his brain tumour battle in October 2012.

"Doug had a real zest for life and was determined not to let the brain tumour overcome his life for as long as he could." says Sue. 

"One of his pleasures in life in his last year was attending Hammer Out's support group in Exeter  where he enjoyed friendship, support and tea and cake!  Being able to meet other people with a brain tumour diagnosis and talk to the patient and family workers who really understand how lives are affected, was such a help to Doug and that's why I - and my friend Sarah Gibbs - wanted to represent the charity in saying thank you to Coffee#1 for their fundraising.

“Most people are unaware of brain tumours until they happen to them or a loved one.”

Sue adds: “Sadly the reality is that every year some 16,000 people in the UK will be diagnosed with a brain tumour and anyone can be affected regardless of gender, background or lifestyle. In fact, brain tumours are the most common cause of cancer death among children.

“For most tumours there is no clear cause and no cure.  And whilst some brain tumours can now be treated or controlled by surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy even those who are lucky enough to survive are likely to experience life changing effects, both physical and emotional.  Their families will also be affected by the experience."

“When the worst happens, Hammer Out is here to provide unfailing support to everyone whose lives are affected by a brain tumour diagnosis and we are very grateful to Coffee#1 for recognising our charity and choosing to support it for three months,” adds Anne Coles, Patient and Family Support Worker at Hammer Out Brain Tumours.

“We would ask everyone to pop along and treat themselves to a gingerbread man between now and November 2 and know that by doing so they are helping many people coping with a brain tumour diagnosis to access support and advice to help them face the future.”

Hammer Out, which works with patients and families throughout the South West and Midlands,was founded by Tina Mitchell Skinnerafter her husband Paul died of a brain tumour in 2003 shortly after his 37th Birthday.  Following Paul’s diagnosis the couple experienced first-hand the lack of local information or support and talked of forming a charity to support those for whom a brain tumour diagnosis means that life will never be the same again.

Ten years on, Hammer Out runs 11 local support groups including  Exeter and funds dedicated family and patient support workers so that no-one has to face the brain tumour journey alone.  In order to provide its services it needs to raise £440,000 a year. 

Coffee#1 opened its first store in 2001 and has since firmly established its name as a provider of fine ethical, gourmet coffee alongside lunchtime snacks and tasty treats.

Sarah Hill, Brand Manager says: “At Coffee#1 we’re always looking to engage with and support the efforts of local charities who are striving to make a difference to the lives of those in their community and beyond. The excellent and tireless work that Hammer Out has done over the past ten years has made it an indispensable resource for brain tumour patients and their families and Coffee#1 is proud to be able to help support such a worthy cause and those it reaches.”

Coffee#1 locations and details of its charity support can be found at www.coffee1.co.uk

To find out more about Hammer Out’s work and how you can contact or support the charity please visit www.hammerout.co.uk or call 01454 414355.