A woman from Somerset who raised funds for the Bath Cancer Unit Support Group (BCUSG) with her late husband has been presented with a special certificate of appreciation by the charity.
Former Bath mayor Ian Gilchrist with Sandy Walwin and her daughter, Carly
Tim and Sandy Walwin from Wanstrow, near Frome, raised more than £30,000 for Bath’s Royal United Hospital with a proportion going to the BCUSG which funds equipment for cancer patients treated there.
Some of the money raised by the Walwin family and friends has funded a low-level laser therapy unit at the RUH, which can reduce the severity of mouth ulcers caused by radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
Almost all patients treated for tonsil, tongue and throat cancer develop inflammation and ulceration of the lining of their mouth and tongue which makes it difficult to talk, eat and drink.
Tim received treatment for mouth cancer at the RUH but has since sadly passed away. His wife Sandy and their daughter, Carly, were presented with a certificate of appreciation by the BCUSG during a special presentation at the RUH.
Emma de Winton, who is a consultant clinical oncologist at the RUH, said: “The fantastic fundraising efforts by Tim and Sandy Walwin means we can now provide the latest laser treatment to patients at the RUH as part of a clinical trial.
“Tim sadly died recently just before he was able to see the first patients benefiting. But thanks to his generosity, future patients at the RUH are amongst the first in the country to have access to this new and innovative treatment – a very fitting legacy to him.”
Some of the money raised by the Walwins, who are a farming family, and their friends will also be used to update a number of chairs specifically designed for patients receiving chemotherapy at the Bath Cancer Unit.
In addition, the BCUSG is looking to fund three projects including an out-of-hours helpline for outpatients receiving chemotherapy and equipment to target radiotherapy more accurately.
The charity also wants to provide additional funds so that the NHS can upgrade its Solid-State Gamma Camera, which will provide better images for cancer diagnosis.
