Our stories
Our members are what we’re all about – and their stories about what Cherry Lodge means to them make our day.
Here are just a few.
Our members are what we’re all about – and their stories about what Cherry Lodge means to them make our day.
Here are just a few.
Anne first became involved with Cherry Lodge when our therapies helped her through breast cancer. As a way of giving back, she reached out to skin and haircare companies and persuaded them to donate mostly chemical-free products to our members. “I wanted to give back and liked the challenge of seeing what I could do … Continued
Ten years ago, Cherry Lodge supported Alex Woods’ family when his wife Ann-Marie was diagnosed with breast cancer at just 32. As a way of giving back, Alex walked 184 miles from the Thames source to the Thames Barrier, raising over £8k for Cherry Lodge. “From the moment Ann-Marie was diagnosed, Cherry Lodge was an … Continued
When I heard about the Cherry Lodge befriending scheme, I knew it was something I wanted to do. Since training in 2021, I’ve befriended four members, including Rick who is pictured with me here. They’ve all been completely different in terms of what they hoped for from a volunteer, but I’ve left every meeting with … Continued
For Renie Price, the sky was no limit to her fundraising – quite literally. She raised £2.6k for Cherry Lodge through a tandem hang glide. Renie joined Cherry Lodge as a member after being diagnosed with breast cancer and has been giving back as a qualified hypnotherapist and helping at fundraising events for the past … Continued
Picture the scene. It’s 1969 and a group of teenage lads are grooving to soul and reggae at their favourite haunt, a now defunct Barnet dancehall called The Cha. Little did they know that more than half a century later, they’d still be best mates, and turning their passion for music into funds for Cherry … Continued
I’ve been volunteering for almost nine years, as a way of thanking Cherry Lodge for the kindness and support given to my friend during her breast cancer treatment and recovery. After retiring, I retrained as a florist and now do flower arranging workshops for Cherry Lodge two or three times a year – they started … Continued
Each year, we reserve places in the London Marathon and the London 10k, and we couldn’t be more grateful to our amazing teams of runners. Thanks again to all those who have run to raise funds for Cherry Lodge (like Trey Warner Noel, pictured) – and good luck to all those who will run in … Continued
Fundraiser extraordinaire Dawn Patten organises annual events – complete with raffle, games and food – in her own home as a way of ‘giving back’ to Cherry Lodge for supporting her daughter, Gemma, and she’s raised £5k so far. “Cherry Lodge is such a lovely charity,” says Dawn. “I really enjoy the fundraisers and helping … Continued
When my mum, Carolynne, was diagnosed with cancer, Cherry Lodge supported her in so many ways. The charity became a real source of comfort and community for her. Before she passed away, mum made it very clear that she wanted to give something back to Cherry Lodge. Including the charity in her will was her … Continued
Retired social work manager David Lewis-Burry, has been a Cherry Lodge member since shortly after his prostate cancer diagnosis in 2021. He explains what that has meant to him … My cancer diagnosis came right in the middle of Covid – I found out over the phone on Boxing Day 2021, and was left shocked, … Continued
Dennis Harris has been a Cherry Lodge member since being diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2018. When I first heard the word ‘cancer’, it felt as though the bottom had dropped out of my world. Everything went dark and I couldn’t even speak – my mind was all over the place, and my partner Carol … Continued
Our members don’t just talk the talk – sometimes, they walk the walk too! Jane Say (pictured on the right, with her friend Bernadette) walked the 177-mile Camino de Santiago raising almost £4k for Cherry Lodge as a thank you for support she received following her breast cancer diagnosis. In July 2024 I was diagnosed … Continued
Luke Constantinides, 35, (pictured above with wife Mandalena and daughters Ophelia and Alessandra) has been a member since being diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma two years ago. It all started in October 2023, when I came back from holiday with a cough that wouldn’t go away. After various tests, I was diagnosed with stage three Hodgkin … Continued
Poet Dennis Evans, 92, has been a Cherry Lodge member since completing treatment for prostate cancer 15 years ago. The charity has played a hugely important part in my life, and I’ll be eternally grateful. My cancer diagnosis 15 years ago came as a complete shock, and my life was turned upside down. Two years … Continued
Nicola Johnson, 59, (pictured on the right, with her sister Louise) tells us about the support she’s found at Cherry Lodge since a recurrence of her breast cancer three years ago. Cherry Lodge came into my life just when I needed it most. I first heard about the charity in October 2022 – my breast … Continued