We're still collecting donations
On the 22nd December 2021 we'd raised £16,085 with 118 supporters in 35 days. But as every pound matters, we're continuing to collect donations from supporters.
+ est. £895.00
We want to raise money so that we can support more people affected by breast cancer across the UK.
by Oa Hackett in Norwich, Norfolk, United Kingdom
On the 22nd December 2021 we'd raised £16,085 with 118 supporters in 35 days. But as every pound matters, we're continuing to collect donations from supporters.
If we can raise £10k then we can help so many more people going through breast cancer treatment.
‘If someone had described it to me beforehand, I would have thought it a ‘nice idea’ without having given much thought to how important the sentiment is … With one box, I no longer felt that we were alone dealing with a life changing situation … It is not a box of cutlery and tea bags, it is a gesture of compassion and understanding sent without judgement and with no expectation, from fellow members of a club that no one wants to be part of’ - littlelifts box recipient
Help us make people facing breast cancer treatment feel cared for, supported and not alone. With your support we can continue to spread the littlelifts love. In the next 12 months we want to launch two more NHS Hospital partnerships as well as grow our national discretionary fund, The little Kindness Fund, so that many more people can access support as they go through breast cancer treatment.
Our vision
Every person affected by breast cancer should have the opportunity to receive a littlelifts box.
In the UK, every year approximately 55,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer, that's one woman told every ten minutes, making it the most common cancer. There are also around 36,000 women living with a secondary breast cancer diagnosis, a recognised disability. Breast cancer also affects men with approximately 370 diagnosed every year.
We’re on a mission to support those affected by breast cancer by offering them a littlelifts box at the beginning of, or during, their chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatment.
What is a littlelifts box?
We understand that every person's experience of breast cancer and its treatment is different. Our littlelifts boxes are full of carefully selected items to help alleviate some of the side effects that people may experience during chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatment. Each box is hand packed with love. We really care about the environment and look to source products that are locally and ethically made, re-usable, eco-friendly and organic.
Click here to find out what's in a box.
How we work
We work with NHS hospitals in Norfolk, Suffolk and North Essex so that people undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatment for breast cancer can receive a littlelifts box at the start of, or during, their treatment. The fantastic Oncology, Radiotherapy and Breast Care Teams we work with give out littlelifts boxes directly to patients.
In February 2020 we launched The little Kindness Fund - this acts as way for us to provide practical and emotional support to people with breast cancer who wouldn't otherwise receive a box as they are not being treated at one of our hospital partnerships.
The pandemic doesn't stop breast cancer and right now you can help us make a difference.
People undergoing breast cancer treatment are clinically extremely vulnerable, and therefore at high risk from COVID-19. The pandemic also makes access to support systems and networks more challenging for these people, and we know that littlelifts boxes provide a valuable mood-boost as well as an important sense of solidarity and kindness.
Right now, kindness really does matter.
The pandemic has caused many people to feel more isolated than ever before, and small acts of community have become immeasurably valuable. Feedback from our recipients tells us that throughout the pandemic, our littlelifts boxes have been providing great relief from the mental and physical challenges they are experiencing.
A bit about team littlelifts
A small, but mighty charity - that's what we like to call ourselves here at littlelifts! We are a team of four (not all full time) supported by a fab Board of Trustees. :
Oa - Founder, she set the charity up after her own diagnosis of breast cancer in 2014 when she was 28 years old. During her treatment, which was really challenging at times, her family and friends put together thoughtful care packages to help relieve side effects she was experiencing as well as lovely treats to boost her emotional well-being. It is the kindness she received that inspires our littlelifts boxes today.
Kay - Box Guru, plus she supports on loads of important 'tech' stuff. Kay is responsible for everything to do with our littlelifts boxes - from ordering and managing stock, to packing them and getting them out to our hospital partnerships. Kay will be manages our NHS Hospital partnerships and applications that come in via our The little Kindness Fund.
Shopie is our Volunteer, Events and Community Manager! On three days a week she juggles a lot. Shopie supports the recruitment of all our amazing volunteers, organises most our littlelifts events and supports our incredible #LittleLiftsCommunity to help raise funds and spread the love.
Meet George. He has recently joined us as part of the Government Kick Start Scheme. George supports Kay and is well on his way to becoming Box Guru number two!
Why your support matters
Breast cancer treatment can be gruelling both physically and mentally and during these difficult times, our littlelifts boxes are making a huge difference to the lives of women and men. For every £1000 raised we can support approximately 15 people with a littlelifts box.
Help us make people feel cared for, supported and not alone.
With your support, we can help more people like Beverly:
"I was given your box when I had my first consultation preceding my chemo therapy treatment. I was reeling from all the information and felt overwhelmed by the feeling of impending doom for the coming months. I took the box home without really acknowledging it properly, and finally opened it later that evening. I was absolutely amazed, not only by the contents, but by the wonderful, thoughtful packaging. The contents seemed never ending and I was blown away by the quality of all the products, especially when you re on a limited income, and cannot afford to treat yourself very much. I told my family and friends all about the box, and they were as blown away as me. Now that I have started chemotherapy, I can now understand why those products have been chosen, and how important it is to have treats to get you through the very bleak days when you think you can not go on with the treatment. I haven't used everything as yet, but I'm sure they will make me smile as much as the ones that I have. It is a fantastic concept, and I want to thank you very much for making me feel very cared for,
Thank you doesn't seem to be quite good enough to describe how I feel."
We'd love you to be part of our ever growing #littleliftscommunity! Thank you for taking the time to read about what we do.
Love from Oa and the team at littlelifts - Kay, Shopie, George & Trustees xx
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