Hucknall cake sale raises over £500 for children's cancer charities and hospital ward

A charity cake sale that was held in Hucknall on Saturday to raise money for, and awareness of, childhood cancer, raised over £500.

Nicola Barksby organised the fundraiser to coincide with Childhood Cancer Awareness Month which runs throughout September.

Childhood cancer is a subject close to Mrs Barksby's heart as her son Jake, was diagnosed with Paratesticular rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare type of soft tissue tumour, two years ago when he was just six years old. He is now in remission.

Speaking exclusively to Hucknall Nub News, Mrs Barksby said: "I just want to say a massive thank you to everybody that's supported us and donated for us and baked cakes or donations for the tombola or just came along and had a good time, it's very much appreciated.

"It's really nice to start giving it back to the charities and the people that've helped us, it's really nice to see it going to other people too."

As well as the cake sale Mrs Barksby started an online donation page and was sponsored for a 22 kilometre walk that she completed yesterday (Sunday 19 September). She had originally intended to run the route which took her from her home in Hucknall to Newstead Abbey, all the way round the Abbey grounds, through Linby and Papplewick, and back to Hucknall. However, due to a recent illness from which she has only just recovered she opted to walk the route instead.

"I got into running when Jake was diagnosed because it was something that helped with my mental health. I used to get out there and go for a run, it used to help clear the head.

"I wanted to do something that had meaning. Jake, he went through 22 rounds of chemotherapy, so I took that number and thought right I'm going to go for 22k."

The donations from these two avenues have been added to the cake sale money meaning that £760 has been raised in total.

The money will be split between Children with Cancer and Leukaemia UK, Ward E39 at the Queen's Medical Centre (where Jake was treated) and Pasic charity who work with E39 in supporting families, children and siblings of children that are going through cancer.

Mrs Barksby added: "It's nice to see things happening with the money you raise. I know they will appreciate the donations."