Bunny supports Sara LeeTrust

Bunny Mitchell has almost come to the end of two years of treatment for breast cancer and now she wants to give back to the charity which made such a difference to her well-being.

Bunny is planning a party at St Peter's Community Centre in the Old Town on the evening of January 18.

"It is going to be a fantastic fund-raiser which is going to be called Celebration Of Life," said Bunny.

"But it is not just to celebrate my life, it is for everybody's life, whether they have also been suffering, or maybe know someone else that has - or just to celebrate that they are not suffering."

The Sara Lee Trust is dear to her heart since she was referred during her treatment at the Conquest Hospital.

The charity was set up by a doctor whose daughter died from cancer and is aimed at providing emotional support to patients that they might not receive elsewhere.

Complementary therapies are available to soothe and revitalise, as are counselling, creative art therapies and sanctuary days to help people living with cancer, motor neurone disease, and HIV/Aids.

Bunny said: "I have had excellent care from the Conquest Hospital and the medical team involved, and I have had a lot of love and support from family and friends...but the Sara Lee Trust provides sanctuary days when there are therapists so you can have reflexology or massage, or try tai chi or meditation '“ whatever anybody feels like doing.

"It is also the kind of place, when you get fed up with being brave, that you can just be with other people feeling the same. They are such compassionate and caring people that after two years I just wanted to say than you for the lifeline they have provided."

A Celebration of Life will be a party with food, drink, dancing and music, with tickets costing 10 each for an evening of entertainment.

"We have got some fantastic music '“ Drumfire, which is an african drums band, the Bohemia Ukelele Band, and Jiggery Pokery which is an Irish fiddle and guitar duo.

"It's all to get people up and dancing.

"I am really excited about it because people have been so overwhelmingly kind in offering their service and help, and supporting it. All round, people have been absolutely wonderful.

"The strange thing is that I was going to have it on January 25...but I changed it to the 18th and I didn't realise until afterwards that was the exact day I was told I had cancer two years ago. So it really is a personal celebration for me but also a celebration of life."

Now 61 and a writer who also leads home study groups in current affairs and creative writing for the University Of The Third Age, Bunny has lived in De La Warr Road for 10 years with husband Peter.

It has been important for her to show it is possible to have cancer and still be achieving her goals.

"I want to send out a message that just because you have got cancer, there are still worthwhile things you can do

" I did a fund-raising walk after I finished my chemo...I walked from Galley Hill down to the war memorial and raised 460. It was only a mile and I didn't know if I would be able to do it '“ but I did, and that was really terrific. Then we held a Pink Party in October last year and raised 240 for breast cancer care. You can still do these things, can't you?"

Her husband Peter said: "Bunny bustles... sometimes I think she bustles more than she should.

"I don't do 'invalid'," said Bunny.

"'Invalid' is not on the agenda".

Celebration Of Life tickets will be available at Funky Bitz 4U in Western Road, St Peter's Community Centre, or from the Sara Lee Trust '“ call 01424 456 608 to find out more details.

Anyone who would like to contribute by donating a raffle prize, selling tickets or helping in some other way is asked to contact Bunny on 01424 219078.

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