Story
At The Lewis Foundation we source, package and hand deliver gift packs for free to adult cancer patients in hospitals in the East Midlands and the community weekly. These are items that patients might find difficult to buy themselves or simply cannot afford and that brings people happiness and comfort at a difficult time. For many people in hospital and the community, our volunteers are their only regular visitors.
Lorraine and Lee (charity founders) were so moved when Lee's mum was hospitalised with cancer at Northampton General Hospital that it led them to set up a charity. Recognising the fear, upset and loneliness faced by individuals undergoing cancer treatment and their loved ones, they were determined that their charity would make a real difference. They sourced donations, packaged, and delivered gifts for patients on oncology wards. That was April 2016 when The Lewis Foundation was born. Today with a team of 50 community volunteers (70% being their beneficiaries) and community supporters, The Lewis Foundation has grown from delivering 80 gift packs to one hospital, to delivering over 2,500 to nine hospitals in the Midlands per month. They are Milton Keynes University Hospital, Northampton General Hospital, BMI Three Shires Northampton, Bedford Hospital, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Luton & Dunstable Hospital Nottingham City Hospital, Queens Medical Centre and Kettering Hospital.
How it works in the hospital, is that patients pick a gift pack of their choice from our gift trolley and there are 32 different packs to pick from. Packs range from toiletries, puzzle books and miniature radios. Once the gift is received, we then spend time with people to reduce loneliness.
What is the Lap of Honour?
The Lap of Honour is an event to remember, support and thank people we care about.
The aim is you do a lap, whatever distance and however you like. However, you are doing the lap to:
Remember someone who had passed away.
Support someone who is going through a tough time.
Thank someone who is being there for you.
All money raised will go to provide our gifts and support to all adults who are going through cancer treatment in hospital. It costs £3.60 to fund 1 of our gifts, which is a really simple way to make someone smile.
Please get involved in our mission to make a difference.