Monxton and Grateley Golf Centre host event to support children and young people with cancer.

On Sunday 27th July, staff from the Monxton & Grateley Golf Centre, near Andover, organised a wonderful day in memory of employee Stuart Fay’s daughter Gemma. Funds were raised for Young Lives vs Cancer, the UK’s leading charity for children and young people with cancer.

Regulars of the Golf Centre and friends of Stuart, wife Rachel and son Thomas Fay enjoyed golf, a raffle, nearest the pin competition and cakes and drinks from Kettle and Crumb.

Gemma Fay was diagnosed in 2020 with Synovial Sarcoma, a rare form of soft tissue cancer in her hip, in September 2020. Gemma’s treatment included a hip replacement, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and a clinical trial. Incredibly sadly, Gemma passed away in July 2023, aged 25.

Trudy Mace, owner of Monxton & Grateley Golf Centre, said: “I was delighted to host the golf charity day, and donate all driving range and course fees to Young Lives vs Cancer in memory of Stuart and Rachel’s daughter Gemma. Thank you to everyone who helped on the day, special thanks to Stuart’s wife, Rachel and son Thomas’ girlfriend, Sophie, for obtaining some fantastic raffle prizes and to Rachel and Debi for their help with the raffle. All the staff pulled together as Stuart is a popular employee and we wanted to show our support for him and his family.”

Rachel and Stuart Fay from West Grimstead, Salisbury, with family and friends, have now raised over £50,000 in memory of daughter Gemma for four different charities, including Young Lives vs Cancer and Sarcoma UK.

Stuart said: "We are supporting Young Lives vs Cancer as this was one of Gemma’s chosen charities. We were able to stay in one of their 'Homes from Home', which provide accommodation close to hospitals where treatment is taking place. Their social workers have provided crucial support, advice and guidance on important aspects. I now volunteer for the charity, and so it’s good to know that the amount of £1,655 raised on the day could pay for a family to stay 23 nights in one of the charity Homes from Homes."

From the moment of diagnosis, Young Lives vs Cancer’s specialist social workers provide day-to-day support for each child, young person and family. The charity provides accommodation close to hospitals where families can stay together during treatment for free, and grants to help families navigate the costs of cancer. Young Lives vs Cancer relies on charitable donations to fund their vital work supporting children and young people facing cancer and their families across the UK.

Last year, in Wiltshire and Hampshire, Young Lives vs Cancer helped over 260 young people with cancer and families get the support they needed. On average, families of a child with cancer have to pay out £700 extra a month on extra costs such as travel to and from the hospital, food and clothing. To help families cope with the costs of cancer, the charity gave out financial grants to the value of over £34,0000 to young people and families in Hampshire and Wiltshire.

Liz Blunt, Senior Fundraising Engagement Manager from Young Lives vs Cancer, said, “We rely on donations to fund our vital work and only have our fantastic Young Lives vs Cancer specialist social workers and Homes from Homes, thanks to the kindness of others organising lovely occasions like these. A BIG thank you to Rachel, Stuart and their family and friends for all they do to help others in Gemma’s name and thank you to Trudy and team from the Golf Centre.”

https://www.justgiving.com/page/mggc-gemma2025

For more information about Young Lives vs Cancer’s work, go to www.younglivesvscancer.org.uk