cartime Supports Breast Cancer Now in our Afternoon Tea Fundraiser

A: Olivia Hall

At cartime, we want to show our support for causes close to our company, our employees and our friends and family members. That is why on Friday 20th August, we hosted our own Afternoon Tea Fundraiser to raise money for Breast Cancer Now. Across our sites we managed to raise a total of £748.98.

Breast Cancer Now is the charity that’s steered by world-class research and powered by life-changing care. They provide support for anyone affected by breast cancer, the whole way through, providing support for today and hope for the future. Their care goes along way and is appreciated by many; including two of our very own members of staff.

Christine's Story:

Eleven years ago whilst looking in the mirror and admiring the weight I’d lost, I saw a dint in my breast.

I put off going to the doctors for a couple of weeks (it was a mixture of wondering if I’m over reacting and fear of what could be).

I can’t describe the feeling when I was told I had breast cancer. It was like being outside my body and listening to someone else being told the news.

I remained positive and determined to get through it. 

I had fantastic care from everyone in the NHS (consultants, nurses and breast nurse) - I was lucky! After a mastectomy and rebuild I have been free of cancer now for 11 years. I urge every woman to check themselves regularly.

Ever since my experience I have done my best to raise money for the charity, as without their great work I may not be here today. Let’s give every woman the chance of survival.
Christine Lamb (Sales Trainer)

Nicola's Story

My story began in Oct 2019. I noticed a dark vein & some skin puckering on my left breast. This sparked a memory of a random Facebook status many years earlier, where a lady had posted a picture urging women to get advice if they noticed anything unusual - not just a lump  - as she had a small pucker on her breast that turned out to be cancer.

I had a feel & thought I could feel a lump on my left breast in my cleavage…. But like many others I’m sure, I dismissed it as nothing.

Over the next month ever time I showered & dressed or got ready for bed I found myself feeling for the lump. I decided I needed to see a doctor in my mind just to stop me being stupid!!

I booked my GP appointment & the moment they saw the skin puckering they said I needed to be referred to the breast unit at Oldham Hospital.

I decided at this point not to worry my husband or sons until I had been to the hospital again as I believed I was worrying about nothing.

I received my appointment with 14 days & set off on the day confident I would be back to work in a few hours.

The nurses were great & very reassuring explaining the first stage was a mammogram at which point they would know if they needed to do any further tests etc.

I went into the room saying I’m sorry for probably wasting your time, and again was reassured it wasn’t wasting their time & better safe than sorry. I was sent back outside in the waiting area, where I noticed lots of other ladies were going in for mammograms then straight back out dressed & sent home… this was the first point I began to wonder if I did need to worry.

I was then called into a room where I was told the mammogram had shown a shadow & therefore I would need an ultrasound scan to look closer. I went for the ultrasound & whilst in there was advised they were taking a biopsy. Again, I did begin to think something wasn’t right but still didn’t believe it would be breast cancer. The nurses then took me into a side room where a Macmillan nurse was waiting for me … This was when it hit me … you don’t get a Macmillan nurse assigned to you if its not cancer!! I can remember feeling like they were speaking to somebody else & being completely numb to what was happening.

I drove myself home in a daze my mind running riot.. how do I tell the family? … what do I tell work? … How will I pay my bills if I can’t work?

The next few days until my appointment with the consultant were and still are a blur. Walking around in a world of my own not really knowing how I should feel. A few days before my consultant appointment I remember waking up & thinking … I’m not ready to die & I am going to fight this? I went to the consultant & said do whatever you need to get rid of this, I was given a date 5 days later to go & have my boob & this horrible thing removed from my body.

The operation was a success & I was home the next morning, ready to get deal with whatever was to come. I went on to have an intense 15-day session of radiotherapy having to visit Christies every day. Tired but very determined.

I am now nearly 2 years on & feel lucky to be here and a survivor. I have medication to take every day but this Is a small price to pay!

Please give as much as you can for this cause. Without them & their research & testing I may not be here. 
Nicola Leonard (Service Advisor)

To show our support to both Christine and Nicola, alongside everyone else affected by this cause, we as a company pulled together to raise as much money as possible. Home Baking; Wear It Pink; Raffles & Games are just a few things we have done during our Afternoon Tea Fundraiser, The day raised a total of £374.49, which was matched by cartime owner Matt Kay, taking the final amount to £748.98.

We also wanted to share our gratitude to our other local businesses who have came together to donate prizes for this cause. Thank you!