Interview: Cancer charity drive goes from strength to strength

"The diagnosis came completely out of the blue," says Darren, 45. "So it was obviously a massive shock when Dad died after only

two months.

"But Gail and I were both so impressed with Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity. They are just a different sort of people to anything I've seen before – so caring and kind. The care they give their patients is just incredible."

Just six months after John lost a battle with stomach cancer, Darren's wife Gail threw him a surprise party for his 40th birthday.

But rather than bringing gifts she asked guests to make a donation to the charity where John spent his final days.

The event raised 1,000 and gave the couple an idea which in five years would raise more than 100,000 for two Sheffield charities.

After the success of Darren's 40th birthday donation, the couple, who live in Bramley, near Rotherham, became determined to raise as much money as possible for the charity, which is one of only three dedicated cancer hospitals in the country.

They are now one of the charity's biggest individual supporters, having raised more than 80,000 for Weston Park and more than 30,000 for PACT (Parents Association of Children with Tumours and Leukaemia).

"After my birthday we thought, 'This is quite easy really' and we decided to try something else to raise more money," says Darren.

In 2006, Darren and Gail organised their first charity ball. Held at Hellaby Hall in Rotherham, the 270 available tickets sold out in a day.

"It was an amazing response," says Darren who works at JB Doors, the Garage Door Company founded by his father in 1984.

"What was so wonderful about the ball was that virtually everyone there had known Dad. Lots of his friends came and because he worked in the garage door business for 20 years, lots of business associates came as well.

"It was a fantastic night and we raised 24,600 for Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity."

The popularity of the Bakers' charity balls didn't end there. The 2007 and 2008 events sold out and a waiting list had to be set-up. A bigger venue was needed and the 2009 ball was held at Bramall Lane with 400 tickets available. They sold in a day and a half and 45,000 was raised in total with 25,000 going to PACT.

"We decided to raise money for PACT as well. Our compere Steve Smith is a patron and we were so touched by the children and what they were going through."

Last weekend the couple organised a huge party for children from Bluebell Wood Hospice at Magna in Rotherham.

The Bakers hope that this year's ball on September 25, will double the amount raised last year.

They have already sold out of tickets for the 800-capacity Magna Centre. The venue, which is being provided at cost price, is a fitting tribute to John, who worked in the building 35 years ago.

So what is it that makes the Bakers' charity balls so successful?

"We start organising it in March or April every year so it takes about six months to get everything sorted," says Gail, 38.

"It's basically a continuous process," says Darren. "It's hard work definitely – but it's all well worth it. We like going to charity balls and sometimes they can put too much emphasis on donating money on the night, rather than about having a good time. Ours are more focused on simply having a good time. We want our guests to be entertained and feel completely comfortable so they can just relax and have a great night. When people are enjoying themselves, they are often more generous."

The Bakers do not do things by halves and this year's ball promises circus performers, stand-up comedy, a silent auction and raffle and live music from The Bootleggers. Steve Smith will again compere the event.

The Bakers also have one or two surprises planned but they are keeping their cards close to their chests.

"We've got a few extra special things lined up," says Gail, "but we want to keep them as surprises for our guests."

The couple, who have been married for 12 years and have two children – Harriet, 10, and Jake, eight, regularly pay the deposits for the entertainment and venue hire out of their own pockets.

Just four years after the first ball, Darren and Gail hope to double the amount raised for Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity this year.

"Every year we want to beat the previous year's total," says Gail. "We're hoping to raise 50,000 this time which would be fantastic."

The hospital recognised Darren and Gail's work by making the couple charity patrons earlier this year, joining the likes of Jessica Ennis and Darren Gough.

The couple also officially opened the first Weston Park Hospital Cancer

Charity shop last week in Crookes, Sheffield.

"Becoming patrons is not something we ever thought about when we started the fundraising," says Gail, who works as a nursery nurse.

Darren adds: "It's obviously a huge honour and something we're very proud of. Without wishing to sound cheesy, it's really gratifying that the work we do is appreciated."

Catherine Newman, senior fundraiser at the cancer charity, said: "We are incredibly appreciative of the huge amount of work Darren and Gail do for Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity.

"The fundraising balls have raised an amazing amount of money, but their support is not just about money. Through their contacts in the region Darren and Gail have successfully raised awareness of the work of Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity .

"The tremendous support Darren and Gail provide really is inspirational. The fundraising balls have been absolutely superb every year and we hope this year will be the best yet."

More about Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity: www.wphcancercharity.org.uk or 0114 226 5370

Supporting fight against cancer

Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity exists to support the work of Weston Park Hospital, one of only three dedicated cancer hospitals in the country.

The hospital provides cancer treatment services for patients across the region – Rotherham, Barnsley, Doncaster, Worksop and Chesterfield as well as Sheffield. Increasingly, treatment is being delivered in the community and the local hospital all under the expertise of Weston Park Hospital specialists.

Patients come from all over the country and sometimes from abroad for the specialist treatments for which the hospital is internationally recognised.

Weston Park Hospital Cancer Research Centre opened in 1999 at a cost of 2m. The centre now enables a multi-million pound programme of cancer research across all cancer types – the Cancer Charity continues to support the core work of this facility year on year in addition to funding specific research projects.

The radiotherapy department is a leading national centre and is one of the best equipped in the country providing some of the shortest waiting times available.

The Cancer Charity has completed a 1m appeal for the new Chemotherapy suite at Weston Park Hospital ensuring the most modern and up-to-date facilities for this treatment.

The Cancer Information and Support Centre is a drop-in centre offering patients, their families and carers extra help and support in living with cancer.

The Teenage Cancer Unit at Weston Park Hospital provides a specialised unit for patients aged 16 to 25 which is supported in part by the Cancer Charity.