Success Stories
Some of our amazing fundraisers and their stories on why they are supporting us
Dorset Food & Arts Festival raises £561.20
What a day of fun and giggles, after all this is how fundraising should be! With our incredibly popular Squares Event and Fairy Cake decorating, together with a very generous donation from Brace Butchers of Poundbury we raised a staggering £561.20. These funds will support our next £50,000 target to support five awareness campaigns to increase the profile of gynaecological cancers - thank you to all our amazing supporters.
Lynn, Hilary & Belle
The Blandford Community Forum raise £370 from their Christmas Raffle
GO Girls were thrilled to be supported by The Blandford Community Forum at Christmas. Sarah and Tinana helped organise the Xmas fun-raiser and raised a staggering £370 for GO Girls to help support the raising of awareness of ovarian cancer. A huge thank you from all of us at GO Girls – great work girls.
Sarah Grindle & Teal Sister
Tinana Sefo Barinisavu
The Felting Fibres and Friendship group raised a handsome £55 for GO Girls
The group which meets every fortnight in Yetminster and run by fibre artist, Carla Taylor, from the Mousehole Woolery wanted to support the GO Girls as part of their annual charitable donation. The group made a series of Winter Wonderland felting items and through their sales, raised £55.
Carla said: “we all felt it was important to help raise awareness of the GO Girls and the wonderful work that you do to support those with gynaecological cancers, as well as their families”.
Carla Taylor
GO Girls raise over £1,200 at Christmas Fair
GO Girls had a fantastic two days of fundraising at Kingston Maurward annual Xmas Fair. Raffling their successful luxury hampers, the team raised over £1,200 to help support women with gynaecological cancers.
Natalee Kavanagh, whose mum passed away from ovarian cancer a couple of years ago, has been involved with GO Girls ever since. "It's a fantastic opportunity to continue the legacy mum started with the GO Girls - she would have been so proud to have seen how far GO Girls have come. I love being involved in the GO Girls events - I would encourage anyone to get involved to support their work."
GO Girls delighted the crowds with their special GO Girls magic, offering mince pies and a sleigh full of sweeties - well done to the lucky prize winners - what a Xmas treat!
Nikki and Hilary
Dorset Collective raise £3,443 for GO Girls #cancerappeal campaign
GO Girls received a healthy dose of medicinal compound to boost Funds for the Cancer Appeal, raising £3,443.
Described as the hottest tickets in town, tickets sold from Bridport Music within days for the Dorset Holloway Collective evening of poetry, dance and music, headlined by Roger McGough.
Sarah Acton, poet said: “It was an incredible evening. The event was more than sold out, we were thrilled with an evening of top class performers, all of whom generously supported the fundraiser - a heady mix of poetry from Annie Freud, uplifting music from Appassionata, folk tradition from Uplyme Morris, and with one of the nation's best loved poets, Roger McGough, as the icing on the cake. To know all the ticket money is going to such a great cause means a lot to everyone involved. We were all humbled to hear of the work the GO Girls have undertaken for the Cancer Appeal, so it’s great to support them in a final push towards their target.”
Teresa Wolff, Vice Chair of GO Girls, added: “We were overwhelmed with the support. We were so excited we got totally carried away and even wrote our own poem for the event which seemed to have everyone in stitches!”
Poet: Annie Freud
“This was a team at its best”, said Hilary Maxwell, Chair of GO Girls. “It just goes to show what a local community can achieve when they come together. Having the new radiotherapy and cancer centre at Dorset County Hospital is one of the most significant achievements for residents in the west of the country. No one ever wanted cancer and no one ever wanted to travel huge distances with cancer – so having our own unit closer to where people live is so important to improving people’s quality of lives at an incredibly difficult time. GO Girls are super proud to have helped make this a reality and we cannot thank the community enough for their overwhelming support”.
Appassionata
Beth Gillian raises over £3,000
Charmouth resident Beth Gillan, organised a series of events for GO Girls this year. She was diagnosed with ovarian cancer last year. After major surgery, she has made a good recovery, but recognises that there is much to do to raise awareness of ovarian cancer.
“Survival has not improved in ovarian cancer for 20 years now. Women must ensure they are aware of what is normal and what is not and GPs need to ensure they refer early if they suspect ovarian cancer: we cannot allow the present situation to continue – women deserve much better.
We have made great progress in breast cancer survival. We can do the same with ovarian cancer, but we need all women to work together to make progress.”
Hilary Maxwell, chairman of GO Girls
Beth Gillian & Patrick Robinson
Beth has never forgotten the support she received at a time when she hit rock bottom. You only have to imagine for just one small minute what it must have felt like to wake from major surgery to be told it's cancer, you have 3 children and a husband you adore. Quite literally your life flashes before you.
Beth’s husband Steve, who supports the GO Girls charity, added:
“It came as a total shock when Beth was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Us guys are just as important in helping raise awareness, we have mums, wives, girlfriends, daughters – I wouldn’t want anyone to go through what Beth and my family have.”
We are very grateful for the efforts Beth, Steve and her family have put in to fundraise for us. Together we will make a difference.
Julie Gosling raised a fabulous £1,005
It's every mum's worst nightmare to know your child is sick - let alone facing a cancer diagnosis.
For Julie Gosling,from Wimborne, when her daughter, Holly Naulin, was diagnosed with cervical cancer, aged just 28, her world fell apart.
"I felt sick to the pit of my stomach. I had this feeling that something was not right for several months before Holly was diagnosed. Hearing the word cancer terrified me - it's something no mum should have to see their daughter go through, particularly when cervical cancer is largely preventable".
Julie Gosling
Julie knew she had to be strong for her daughter, but she did not know always how best to support her.
"I was so thankful when Holly told me she had been in touch with the GO Girls who support women with gynaecological cancers and how she had found their support and warmth extremely comforting. Not only were they there for Holly, but also me".
"I want to give something back and have been following the GO Girls work since they started just over 3 years ago. So this year, in my 60th year, I want to say a huge thank you to the GO Girls I am running 6 half marathons to raise £750 to support their important work", added Julie.
"This is just a small token of my thanks to an exceptional group - whose support, advice and hugs helped my daughter in the most difficult period of her life and for that I am truly thankful".
More than 3200 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year and 900 die annually. A report from the charity Jo's Trust earlier this year, cited embarrassment as one of the biggest reasons women did not attend their smear tests. "It's a simple 5 minute test. My daughter Holly fronted the GO Girls Never Fear a Smear campaign. I would never want any other mum to go through what my Holly had to endure and no mum should have to see their daughter be diagnosed with a cervical cancer. Don't let embarrassment put you off - book your smear: a smear test takes 5 minutes out of your life. Cervical cancer could take your life." stressed Julie.
Holly Naulin has now made a good recovery from radical surgery and continues to be reviewed regularly by a specialist team in Manchester.
GO Girls support all women and their families with gynaecological cancers.
Kevin Brookes raised £800
Mayor of Weymouth and Portland, Kevin Brookes, raised £800.10 for GO Girls
Big smiles all round as previous Mayor Cllr Brookes thanks his chosen charities GO Girls and New Man Prostate Cancer Support for all of their amazing work that supports so many people across the borough.
Margaret & David raised £500
A couple celebrating their golden wedding anniversary said “no thank you” to gifts as they urged guests to donate to vital causes instead.
David and Margaret Nelmes, from Weymouth, held a dinner to celebrate 50 years of marriage at the Rembrandt Hotel in the company of around 70 guests.
But instead of accepting gifts, they asked that donations be made towards buying a life-saving defibrillator for the Weymouth Amateur Boxing Club and towards the GO Girls support group which helps women with gynaecological cancers.
Margaret & David Nelmes
David and Margaret first met at a folk club in Weymouth and have been together ever since. David is now the president of the boxing club, having succeeded his father Dai who was an original member.
Speaking about their anniversary celebrations, David said: "It was a brilliant night with family and friends, we were happy as Larry. Not many people reach 50 years.
"It turned out to be very important, as since then my brother has passed away from cancer. It meant we were all together for the night."
Instead of accepting presents, the couple wanted their guests to help towards making a difference elsewhere.
David added: "We didn't want gifts, we wanted to do something different. We've now bought a defibrillator for Weymouth boxing club and the Red Cross are coming soon to teach us how to use it."
GO Girls are fundraising for Dorset County Hospital's Cancer Appeal, which will go towards bringing radiotherapy services to Dorchester for the first time. David said the work they are doing is "very important."
In total, David said they raised almost £1000 for the defibrillator and around £500 for the GO Girls on the night.
Hilary Maxwell, chairman of GO Girls, said: “The GO Girls are absolutely thrilled to have the support of Margaret and David.
“We are on the final hurdle to raise £50,000 for the Cancer Appeal, so this donation will make a massive difference to reaching our final target more quickly.”
Krissy raised £460
With the launch of this year’s Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month in March, a Poundbury women took an impressive challenge to raise awareness of ovarian cancer with younger women.
Krissy Tripp, 20, a familiar face on Queen Mother Square, you might have seen her running around the Gallery on the Square where she works part time, serving up tea and cakes.
This March, Krissy took on a a mile-a-day challenge for 50 days. The challenge aimed to raise awareness and funds for GO Girls - who support women with gynaecological cancers.
Krissy Trip
I know lots of people my age don't know much about gynae cancers, but I've been following the GO Girls for a while now - they are never down, they work so hard to support women with these cancers. If I can't help raise awareness now, at my age, there will be no hope for our generation or our children.
Oh, think I forgot to tell you, I've never run before! ha!.
Teresa Wolff, vice chair of GO Girls said: “We are all immensely proud of Krissy. Ovarian cancer affects over 6,500 women in the UK every year and not all of these are, as many presume, ‘middle-aged’. The youngest member of our group is only 13.
“Younger women have the opportunity to make a real difference for the future, by not only educating themselves, but making a real difference to ensure all women know the common symptoms. We know early diagnosis is likely to improve survival.”
Tamsin, Karen, & Kate raised over £1,400
My dear friend Beth - yes that lovely smiley GO Girl! - was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at 43.
Supporting women with cancer is close to my heart; I was lucky to survive breast cancer and the support I received during my treatment was beyond measure. I also made a friend whilst I was on the chemotherapy ward - she too had ovarian cancer, but her story did not end happily and sadly she passed away in the summer of 2017 - far too young.
Tamsin, Karen & Kate
Beth, Tamsin, Karen & Kate
To see my dear friend Beth battling now with this same awful disease makes me determined to do something positive.
GO Girls hit the spot offering loads of support with the women at the very heart of what they do.
The emotional impact of diagnosis, surgery, treatment, premature menopause is enormous, so it's great to know GO Girls is there, so I really hope you will consider giving something back to help them continue with their important work - thank you.
Mayor and Mayoress present £500
The Mayor and Mayoress of Weymouth and Portland provided a nice surprise for their designated charities.
Mayor Cllr Kevin Brookes and his wife Mayoress Anne Brookes recently presented cheques to their designated charities for the year, with all the money raised so far.
Cheques were provided to David Harrop and Paul Nicols from New-Man Prostate Cancer Support and Hilary Maxwell and Teresa Wolff from GO Girls.
Cllr Brookes said: “I am very pleased with the fundraising progress so far. However, it is important that the money raise to date is set to work for the benefit of the two organisations as soon as possible. We had a wonderful catch-up over a cup of tea and coffee. I look forward to handing over some more money in May.”
During a discussion, Paul from New-Man Prostate Cancer Support advised of the upcoming PSA testing event, which will take place on Saturday, March 17 from 9am until 1pm. The testing will take place at Willowbed Hall, Chickerell.
The New-Man group meet every other month, and is for patients who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer, as well as their families and partners.
Hilary from GO Girls also advised of the Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month in March, with fundraising events in place to raise awareness and funds for the charity.
GO Girls aim to raise awareness of gynae cancers and campaign for earlier diagnosis and improved treatments.
Symonds & Sampson raised £3,933.16
Symonds and Sampson has chosen GO Girls Cancer Support Group for women with gynaecological cancers as its joint charity of the year for 2017.
Peter Grout-Smith, from the firm, said: "We were touched by the work of the GO Girls.
"Sadly one of our colleagues Erica lost her battle with ovarian cancer last year and we wanted to remember her by supporting the work the GO Girls are doing."
Erica's husband Nevill Thorner said: "Losing anyone is hard. Ovarian cancer is particularly cruel - it often creeps up on women with little or no warning and so often treatments can only hold the disease back for a short period of time.
"The GO Girls provide invaluable support for women suffering from this cruel disease, as well as support to their families."
Hilary Maxwell, chairman of the GO Girls and Gynae-Oncology Nurse Specialist at Dorset County Hospital, said: "We are truly humbled to have such support from Symonds and Sampson and their amazing team - their support will mean so much to help support our charity and raise awareness about these cancers."
Vice-chairman Teresa Wolff added: "Having such a great team as Symonds and Sampson supporting us will mean we can progress with our 2017 plans - we want to ensure all women are aware of the symptoms of gynae cancers and have the very best support we can offer."
£172 in memory of Jan Hinton
A Weymouth woman will be taking the plunge and taking on the iconic Christmas Day Harbour Swim Challenge in memory of a dear family friend - nearly a year to the date of her passing.
Krystal Axe, 33, has been braving the freezing waters of Weymouth Harbour on Chistmas Day for the last seven years to raise funds and support causes close to her heart.
However, this year, Krystal wants to raise a whopping £500 in memory of Jan Hinton, a close family friend, who lost her battle to ovarian cancer on December 17 last year.
Krystal said: “Jan meant so much to me and my family. I lost my dad when I was 28 and my sister was only 14. Jan was there for me and my family from the very moment dad died, supporting me, my mum and all our family - we could never thank her enough for the support she gave us.”
The money she raises will be donated to the GO Girls, a cancer support group for women with gynaecological cancers who supported Jan through her illness.
“I’d known Jan since I was born - she was like a second mummy to me. She was a total inspiration to me as I grew up.
"She had the biggest heart you could know - always helping others, totally selfless - she was a very special person who should never be forgotten. She always talked about the GO Girls and how their support pulled her through difficult days. I would like to give something back to the GO Girls - a cause so close to Jan’s heart.”
Teresa Wolff, vice chair of GO Girls said: “Krystal’s story is very powerful - another inspirational woman following in the footsteps of our dear Jan.
"Jan will never be forgotten, she is always in our hearts and our thoughts and prayers go out to her family at this difficult time on the anniversary of her passing. To have Krystal’s support is amazing. Thank you Krystal from all the GO Girls”
£25,000 raised to date
We have raised an astounding £25,000 for the Cancer Appeal in less than a year to help fund a counselling suite for cancer patients.
GO Girls Vice Chair, Teresa Wolff said: “So why did we choose to fund a counselling suite? We know from the feedback we receive that having that holistic support is vital - the quiet space to adjust to a life-changing diagnosis”.
GO Girls member, Patricia Skilbeck, 59, said she lost her sense of self and found herself in a very dark place after her cancer diagnosis.
“I feel that if someone had been able to find the time to offer holistic support that nurtured my emotional health I might have fared better,” she said.
The money was raised through a series of fundraising events and will go to support the funding of a counselling suite in the new cancer building at Dorset County Hospital.
GO Girls Chair, Hilary Maxwell says: “My greatest thanks go to our GO Girls team - most of whom who are very sick, but turned out rain or shine to support our events.”
Teresa added: “We must never forget those GO Girls that sadly lost their battles to cancer during our campaign and in whose memories, we continue to work tirelessly – Jan Hinton – our total inspiration.”
The Cancer Appeal is aiming to raise £1.75m in total to develop cancer facilities for patients in North, South and West Dorset and bring radiotherapy services to Dorchester for the first time.
They hope to build bespoke spaces to transform the experience of cancer patients by enabling counselling and support services to be offered in rooms right next to the Outpatient areas.
Hilary added many more people will be diagnosed with cancer and the new radiotherapy suite was vital to the community.
Patricia Miller, Chief Executive of Dorset County Hospital said: “This is a tremendous donation from a small team of dedicated fundraisers. Hilary, Teresa and all the Go Girls team have worked incredibly hard and I would like to thank them all for their efforts in support of the Cancer Appeal.”
Sir Oliver Letwin, MP for West Dorset, said: “The GO Girls team have added a significant sum to the Cancer Appeal – a team of volunteers who are themselves not well – it just shows what can be achieved with passion and dedication – well done to the GO Girls”
The Go Girls have now set themselves a new target of £50,000.
One Voice Weymouth raised £500
A POPULAR choir returned to the stage to honour and remember a friend who lost her battle to ovarian cancer.
Jan Hinton was only 59 when she died in December. Despite struggling with a terminal illness, Jan, from Littlemoor, has supported One Voice Choir since she rehearsed and shared the Olympic stage with the choir and other massed voices in 2012.
Debbie Shaw, chairman of One Voice Choir said:
“We wanted to pay tribute to Jan and her family. Jan had always been an ardent supporter of our choir and we miss her dreadfully. We felt it was a fitting tribute to hold this concert in her name and to support the GO Girls of which she had been a very active member. We were thrilled to welcome her family to the concert.”
The concert began with a very special piece, Hallelujah, by Leonard Cohen, which Alexandra Burke brought back to fame in her 2008 X Factor win.
Choir leader Grazina Ellis said: “We knew this was Jan’s favourite piece of music and the choir wanted to sing this for her family to show their respects.”
Hilary Maxwell, chairman of GO Girls and
gynae-oncology specialist nurse at Dorset County Hospital said:
“The concert was quite superb – to have such talent on our doorstep is a privilege and for this choir to choose GO Girls to benefit was very special – we are constantly amazed by the generosity of Dorset residents to our cause and helping us spread awareness of ovarian cancer.”
Teresa Wolff, vice-chairman of GO Girls Added: “Our appeal to raise £25,000 to provide a counselling suite as part of the Cancer Appeal at Dorset County Hospital received an incredible boost from One Voice Choir and we are truly grateful for the amazing generosity shown to us –thank you.”
Natalee Kavanagh, Jan’s daughter, will be following in her mother’s footsteps and be signing up to the choir and joining them in September as they rehearse towards their Christmas concert.
Hilary added: “I know it’s only summer, and we shouldn’t rush time away, but Teresa and I are already looking forward to the Christmas concert – no one should miss it.”
Tim raised over £5,000
My mum died of ovarian cancer in 2016. It was dreadful. But it made me realise that I needed to do something in memory of my mum – to leave a legacy that would last.
Helen, my mum, like all mums, was special. She was an ardent supporter of GO Girls Support Group and through her time with this group, it made me realise what strength they offered to women, their family and friends suffering from these devastating cancers.
Tim
You probably don’t know that every year 7,000 women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
It is the 6th most common cancer in women and the 5th most common cause of cancer deaths in women in the UK. Survival, unlike breast cancer, is often short due to difficulties in diagnosis – symptoms often present late – and all too late.
So the Heat is On! I want to help GO Girls with their aims to raise awareness of the disease to ensure earlier diagnosis so survival will improve in the future. I have to be realistic – this can only happen through others generously supporting my cause – I don’t want other women to go through what my mum did – and we need to do for ovarian cancer what others have done for breast. cancer. So I’m setting myself a challenge and the heat really is on! I’m going to take part in April 2017 in the Marathon des Sables – quite simply the Marathon of the Sands. It’s described as the “toughest footrace on earth”, as I aim to run 150 miles in the 120 degree Fahrenheit heat across the Morocco desert.
I cannot put a price on those people who supported my mother, our wonderful clinical nurse specialist, oncologists, gynaecologists and the hospice, so I am asking for a fraction of that to help me give something back. I’m looking to raise £10,000 and I really hope you can help me!
You’ll be able to keep up to date with my training programme as I get ready for the biggest personal challenge of my life so far – but for my mum, I would do anything.
The fabulous GO Girls are amazing and I owe them so much! Thank you.
Weymouth Salon raises £200
A WEYMOUTH hair salon offered a warm embrace to a local cancer support group as its celebrated its eighth birthday.
Embrace Hair and Beauty Studio in Spa Road held a fundraising event for the GO Girls group, which supports women with gynaecological cancers and their families.
There were makeovers, a nail bar and hair up dos on offer at the birthday party turned fundraiser, which amassed £200 for the GO Girls.
Embrace Hair and Beauty Studio holds a fundraiser for the GO Girls support group to mark its eighth birthday
Embrace owner Penny Jeffs said it was a great night in aid of a worthy cause, with one attendee on the night really going the extra mile to help raise funds.
She said: "Embrace were so proud to support the GO Girls - such a good cause - everyone should support with their £10.
"John was our hero for the night as he did a sponsored chest wax for £1 a strip - needless to say everyone gave more than generously to feel his pain!"
Co-founder of GO Girls Hilary Maxwell said: "What a sparkling fundraising event we had, supported by Embrace Health and Beauty.
"The GO Girls were blown away by the generosity of local people to our £10 campaign #just10GOGirls.
"We raised a staggering £200 on the night, everyone had fun, hair dos and make-overs - a heartfelt thank you from all the GO Girls.
"We know women with ovarian cancer have one of the toughest journeys and survival is still desperately low - we must do everything we can to change this."
New Title
GO Girls are determined to end the heartbreak that Gynaecological cancer carries with it, god bless you all, you are just incredible.
Lesley Auden
©
GO Girls | Registered Charity 1179108
Privacy Policy | Terms
All Rights Reserved