52 Lives

#71 Shona

Request: A mattress, a little holiday, and grocery vouchers

This week, 52 Lives would like to help Shona, who lives near Stirling in Scotland.

Shona is 41 years old and lives with her husband and daughter. She has had a very tough few years, battling all different types of cancer. She was diagnosed with breast cancer last year which resulted in a full mastectomy. She was just recovering from that when she found out she also had cancer in one of her fingers, which then had to be amputated. In the past few months she discovered the cancer has also spread to other fingers, which may also have to be amputated. And on top of all of that she has vulval cancer which will mean more surgery and a painful recovery.

Dealing with any one of those things would be difficult enough. Dealing with all three has overwhelmed her. 

Shona works in the call centre of an energy company. Her husband is retired so she is the main breadwinner. Her illness has taken its toll on her family – emotionally and financially. And it has really taken its toll on Shona.

In my conversations with her, she said she felt worried and helpless. She is dealing with a lot, she’s exhausted and she’s in pain….she could do with a bit of kindness. So 52 Lives would love to be able to do something for her.

What We Need

  1. A king size mattress (new or very good quality second hand)  DONE! This item has now been arranged, thanks to Chris and Azziz from Excellent Relax Bedding
    Shona has to spend a lot of time in bed at the moment. Her mattress is very old, with springs poking through it. She wakes up in pain every morning. We’d love to be able to replace it with a new, comfy mattress for her. If you can help by either buying a mattress, donating one or making a contribution towards one please let us know using the form below.
  2. A holiday 
    Holidays aren’t something Shona and her family have been able to consider for the past few years. We would love to be able to send them on a little break away together. If you can help with this, please let us  know using the form below.
  3. Groceries 
    Some gift vouchers to help pay for groceries would make their life a bit easier financially and give them one less thing to worry about. The closest supermarkets to her are ASDA, Morrisons and Tesco. Tesco vouchers can be bought online using the link below. ASDA and Morrisons vouchers can be bought in store:

Buy a Tesco Gift Card online

Gift cards can be sent to:
Jaime Thurston
52 Lives (Shona)
PO Box 329
Hampton, TW12 9DF

What We Did

Thanks to all of you, we helped to change Shona’s life.

- Shona has received around £1000 in donations and gift cards.

- She received a brand new mattress, thanks to Chris and Azzizz at Excellent Relaxed Bedding (www.excellent-relax.co.uk), and a headboard thanks to Lisa Williams.

- She has a holiday booked, thanks to the generosity of Homelands Trust Fife (www.homelands-fife.co.uk), and a Spanish holiday might be on the cards, thanks to two amazing women – Pauline Evans and Kelli Barham.

These things have all helped her so much, but it is about so much more than things. Your kindness gave Shona hope and support when she desperately needed it. You can’t put a price on that.

Listed below are some of the lovely people who helped Shona this week. Please forgive us if we have forgotten people! There were so many of you, and there are still more giftcards and donations arriving every day! And thankyou to every single person who likes and shared her story. We know not everyone can afford to donate, but spreading the word is just as important. So thankyou.

Dave, Lesley Anderson, P Leach, Lynne, Lesley, Sara-Jane, The Stuarts, Shelley, The Macphersons, Sarah Robinson, Bernice, Tricia, Suzanna Savidas, Paul Hopwood, Martin S, H Crompton, P Craig, and the amazingly generous Sara Holmes! And every single anonymous donor and all the other wonderful people who sent gift cards and cheques who we haven’t named.

You have all made such a difference to Shona’s life. And she is forever grateful.

A Thankyou Note