Hartlepool golfer raises over £2,000 for hospital chemo unit after wife diagnosed with breast cancer aged just 31
A husband has raised more than £2,000 for Hartlepool’s chemotherapy unit that cared for his wife after her shock diagnosis with breast cancer.
Mum of two Lauren Coxon has just completed an arduous 18-month treatment journey after she was diagnosed with the disease in February 2025 aged just 31.
Her care has been led by the chemotherapy day unit at the University Hospital of Hartlepool, which Lauren’s husband Graeme praised as “second to none”.
To say thank you, he completed a marathon golfing challenge at Hartlepool Golf Club consisting of five 18-hole rounds in one day.
His efforts have raised around £2,200 for the hospital. “We honestly can't thank them enough and we want to give back what we can,” said Graeme, 37.
Lauren, a payroll officer for Thirteen housing association, went to the doctors after she noticed a lump while showering.
She was referred immediately to Hartlepool hospital for further tests and scans.
Graeme, who works as an operations manager at a factory in Peterlee, said: “The same day the consultant said he believed it was cancer.
“Our son was only one at the time and we found out on his second birthday.
“Lauren was shocked and upset, but she has taken it all in her stride and never once let it get her down.”
She is now in remission. According to charity Cancer Research UK, breast cancer is most prevalent in women aged between 50 and 69.
Lauren’s treatment included chemotherapy and surgery to remove a tumour at Hartlepool hospital, plus radiotherapy at James Cook hospital in Middlesbrough.
At the same time the couple were raising their young family with four-year-old daughter Maeve and Kasper aged two.
Graeme said the whole process was made a lot easier by the service Lauren received at the unit, from help with cold capping, which helped reduce her hair loss, to the friendly faces every time they visited.
“We just wanted to give something back to them and decided to raise a bit of money for the unit to improve facilities for other people going forward,” he said.
During his golf challenge, Graeme completed 90 holes after starting playing at 4.45am and finishing just before 9pm.
It involved him walking roughly 30 miles and doing around 70,000 steps.
He said: “It was tough. It was extremely hot, but it was very enjoyable and for a worthy cause.”
Lynne Tucker, deputy matron of the chemotherapy day unit, said: “Lauren was an absolute pleasure to take care of.
“She came to us initially in March 2025 and myself and all the girls knew immediately that Lauren would be so easy to look after – a very kind natured young woman.
“We wish Lauren all the best for her future. Thank you so much to Graeme and all those involved for their amazing gesture.
“We are about to start some refurbishment of our Hartlepool unit and this donation will be a huge help in improving our space for our patients.”
Anyone wishing to add to the cause can do so at Graeme’s JustGiving page.