Help give Wellingborough dad 'more precious time' with his family by supporting Swansgate fundraiser
People are being urged to come together again to help give a Wellingborough dad more time with his family following a devastating cancer diagnosis.
Paul King, who worked in security at Wellingborough’s Swansgate Shopping Centre for many years, was diagnosed with incurable cancer last year.
Family and friends have been rallying round to fund specialist treatment in Germany that could help slow the progression of Paul’s cancer and improve his comfort and quality of life.
A fundraiser at the shopping centre earlier this year raised more than £3,000 and another event has been organised for Saturday, August 1 between 10am and 3pm.
Paul’s wife Melissa said: “After the incredible success of our first fundraiser in May, we are returning to the Swansgate and hoping the local community will come together for us once again.
"The final total raised from our first event was an amazing £3,052, which honestly exceeded everything we had hoped for.
"We were completely overwhelmed by the support we received. So many people donated prizes, baked cakes, volunteered their time and came along on the day. The money raised helped us continue getting Paul to Germany for his treatment.
"Paul has now completed several rounds of treatment in Germany and we have been given encouraging news that his tumour has continued to shrink and there has been no new spread.
"Considering we were told in January that his cancer was incurable and that he may only have a couple of months left, every extra day and every positive result means more to us than we could ever put into words.”
Paul’s treatment is ongoing and each trip to Germany costs thousands of pounds once treatment, flights, accommodation and other expenses are included.
His next appointment is scheduled for mid-August so the family is hoping this latest fundraiser will help make sure they can get him there for his next round of treatment.
The main attraction on the day will be a large tombola with lots of prizes to be won.
There will also be a cake sale, face painting, henna and other games and activities for families to enjoy.
But the family needs your support to help make the event another huge success.
Melissa said: “We are currently asking local people and businesses for donations to help fill our stalls.
"We especially need bottles of wine and spirits, toiletries and pamper products, chocolates, new toys, unopened gifts, hamper items and vouchers from local businesses.
"We would also be extremely grateful to anyone who could bake cakes or volunteer to help on the day.”
Anyone wishing to donate a prize can take it to the Swansgate Shopping Centre management office or ask a member of Swansgate staff, who will arrange for it to be stored safely for Paul’s fundraiser.
And Melissa added: “We are so thankful to everyone who has supported us so far.
"We genuinely could not keep doing this without the kindness of the local community and we hope people will come and see us again at Swansgate, have some fun, win some prizes and help us give Paul more precious time with his family.”
To support the family’s ongoing fundraising, visit the gofundme page here.