Graham lost both his wife and 31 year old daughter to breast cancer in the last 3 years, who were both Little Lifts beneficiaries. We now welcome him into Little Lifts HQ every week as a volunteer. He helps with deliveries, Box packing and supports us at our events.
Graham’s wife Natalie was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015 and died in 2019. Graham was with her when she received her Little Lifts Box from Dr Alexander at the Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital whilst undergoing chemotherapy. Two years later, in June 2021, Graham’s daughter Alice had her first baby, Reuben. Whilst trying to establish breastfeeding, she experienced unusual pains and was diagnosed with stage 4 triple negative breast cancer in September 2021. She was given twelve months to live.
Graham lost Alice in September 2022. She had received both a Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy Box from Little Lifts during her treatment. In April of that year, Graham wrote to Oa to say thank you for the Boxes that his wife and daughter received and to ask if there was anything he could do to say thank you and give back to the charity that had supported his family. Soon after, Graham met with Oa and the Little Lifts Team, and he was enrolled as a volunteer – taking part in fashion shows, driving the Little Lifts van to make hospital deliveries and packing Boxes.
‘I am retired and now live on my own since the passing of my wife. Volunteering for Little Lifts gives me an outlet to meet new people and feel supported by other people whose lives have been affected by breast cancer. The Little Lifts Boxes are so useful, appropriate and welcome. They do what they say on the tin – giving a lift to people and brightening their day during a difficult time.’
Graham not only volunteers weekly, he also kindly took part in our fashion show with John Lewis in October 2022.
This was a fantastic, moving and empowering evening where our incredible Little Lifts community came together. This was all made possible by volunteers like Graham who took to the runway.
‘You may know I lost my wife, Natalie, to cancer in 2019 and have now in September this year also lost my wonderful daughter, Alice, to this cruel disease. Both Natalie and Alice benefited from gift boxes from Little Lifts during their hospital treatments and my contribution to Little Lifts activities is just a small recompense for the kindness and generosity they and I received at a very difficult time in our lives.
I was delighted to be asked to become involved in the fashion show which I thoroughly enjoyed both on the night and in particular during the hours of fun we all had in the lead up to the show itself. Meeting and working together with such a dedicated group of motivated, thoughtful and caring young people was truly uplifting and the show itself captured the thrill of some spectacular modelling performances. Feedback from the audience was exceedingly positive and confirms the space for a repeat show in future programmes.
Looking forward to it. With thanks, Graham. XX’
All of us at Little Lifts want to say a huge thank you to Graham for his support – we’re so grateful to have your wonderful positive energy in our community.