What a boost this is for a Hartlepool charity which helps cancer sufferers

Delighted officials at the Denise Taylor Cancer Trust have welcomed the huge donation which came from Bella Gateshead, based in the Intu Metrocentre.

Bella staff raised the money by holding five days of “dry runs” where the money from the drinks and some items from the menu were donated to the cause.

It was their way of saying thank you after the Trust supported one of the Bella team’s family during their most difficult time last year.

The Denise Taylor Cancer Trust helps people suffering from cancer and their families with non-repayable grants, easing the costs that are associated with the disease, including travel, utilities, transport and childcare.

The £5,266.01 raised was handed to Helen Hart, the daughter of Denise Taylor, who now runs and manages the charity with friends and other family members.

Helen said: “The Denise Taylor Cancer Trust started as a selfless endeavor, and was a way for Denise to use her own experience to help others, insistent that this tragic part of her life could be used to motivate and contribute to the ongoing battle against cancer.

“To date, the trust has raised over £35,000 for the families and sufferers of cancer in Hartlepool and the donation from Bella Italia will go towards continuing the care for those who are struggling to assert control over their illness and supporting their families.”

Bella Gateshead’s general manager Stacey Hetherington, said: “It’s a personal achievement for me to be able to give back to the Denise Taylor Cancer Trust, as they have helped my family when we were in the greatest need.

“It is truly amazing the work the charity does in the local Hartlepool community and all of us here at Bella Gateshead are very proud to have been able to support them and donate the money from our dry runs”.

The Trust has been a charity since 2014 and has so far helped 265 families.

People have raised funds for the cause in ways which have included everything from coffee mornings to fashion shows and a coast to coast ride to climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.