After hearing about the help that a cancer charity gave to one of their new residents in Ponteland, sales staff at Ashberry Homes were inspired to get fundraising.
Matthew Slater, who recently moved into Bridgemoor at Jameson Manor with his daughter Louisa, shared his story about the unforgettable support he and his family received from Maggie’s Newcastle, before his wife Linsey sadly lost her battle against breast cancer last year.
The sales team decided to hold an internal auction of the development’s showhome furniture, with Ashberry Homes then adding another £1000 to the total money raised, leading to a donation of £4,755 to the charity, which is based at Freeman Hospital in Newcastle.
Through their most difficult times, Maggie’s Centres provide free support to thousands of people who have been diagnosed with cancer.
Matthew said: “I am very grateful that Ashberry Homes is donating this money to Maggie’s. Maggie’s was there for our family at a time in need.
“My wife unfortunately had secondary breast cancer and Maggie’s had been there throughout her treatment. In March 2020, when the first lockdown started, Linsey was taken into hospital and our six-year-old daughter was not allowed to visit, due to Covid restrictions.
“Maggie’s was very kind and allowed us to have a day at their centre together as a family. I will always be very grateful to Maggie’s for all their support. Linsey sadly passed away two weeks later.
“We have moved to a new Ashberry house to be closer to our daughter’s school and family and it is amazing that Ashberry decided to help after hearing about what Maggie’s did for us.”
Karen Verrill, Centre Head of Maggie’s Newcastle, said: “It was my pleasure to help Matthew and Louisa spend precious time in Maggie’s with Linsey, in what turned out to be the last weeks of her life. Despite the very sad circumstances, there was much love and happiness in the room from two lovely parents and their beautiful young daughter. Linsey was a very popular member of our secondary breast cancer group at Maggie’s and had visited us for quite some time.
“We’re so grateful to Ashberry Homes for their generous donation. This donation will help us fund our unique programme of cancer support at the Freeman Hospital for people with cancer and their families in the North East and Cumbria.
“You don’t need an appointment or a referral to access our support at Maggie’s; you can simply walk-in or call us. Our beautiful building and gardens are designed to feel like a home, a place where you can relax and seek expert support for the many areas of your life that cancer can affect.
“We rely on donations to fund our programme of cancer support and are so grateful to everyone who supports us.”
Oliver Wray, Sales Manager for Ashberry Homes, said: “We are honoured to aid the invaluable work that Maggie’s Newcastle does for so many people.
“As a responsible housebuilder we are committed to supporting the communities that we build in, so when we heard about Matthew’s story and the support his family received from Maggie’s, we were pleased to help.”
To find out more about Maggie’s in the North East, visit www.maggies.org/newcastle.
Although all homes are now sold at Bridgemoor at Jameson Manor, Ashberry Homes is also building new homes just four miles south of Ponteland town centre, at Church View in Callerton. For more information visit www.ashberryhomes.co.uk.