Woman with cancer opens shop to fund respite lodge

A woman with terminal cancer has opened a shop to fundraise for the creation of a respite sanctuary for teenage cancer patients.

Hannah Roberts, 21, who was diagnosed with glioblastoma at 19, aims to raise £203,000 to create a lodge at Mercia Marina near Willington, Derbyshire, for people under the care of the Teenage Cancer Trust.

Ms Roberts, who has £91,000 raised so far, opened the "boutique" shop at Mercia Marina, the same site where the lodge will be located, on Sunday.

Her mum, Gail Iredale, 53, said: "Our opening day exceeded all of our expectations - we raised £2,000 which is phenomenal."

"Hannah just wants to do something for every other teenager in this situation and we are totally behind her", added Mrs Iredale, from Willington.

“We are doing everything and anything we can to raise funds and have set March as our target to reach our goal.”

After Mrs Iredale found out the shop building would be used temporarily for building equipment storage, the 53 year-old asked if it could be used for charity fundraising.

Mercia Marina agreed to the idea and has since provided the unit rent free until it's planned demolition in January.

Under the charity fundraiser "Hannah’s Hope", the shop at the marina is selling donated new and nearly-new items.

There are no paid staff and all profits will go directly to the charity to help purchase the respite holiday lodge.

The marina’s general manager, Robert Neff, said: “When I discovered they wanted the unit, I couldn’t have been more pleased to help.

"We are honoured to assist in their ambitious target of making the respite lodge a reality.”

There are currently four plots at the marina available to reserve for the lodge, which will provide two or three-bedroom, non-residential accommodation, with the option of a hot tub.

“Hannah knows first-hand what teenage cancer patients need in the midst of their diagnosis and treatment", said Gail.

"The peace and quiet that Mercia Marina brings is perfect.

"We hope as soon as we have the funds, we can provide support to the patients and families."

Hannah was given 14 months to live in 2022.

Mrs Iredale said "we are now in month 25".

"There are no experts on being told your child has terminal cancer," she added.

"It tears families apart and we need to help these people create memories in beautiful surroundings.

"We've got to do it, we want Hannah to see the lodge. We don't know if she will, but everything we do is for Hannah to see that she won't be forgotten."

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