A Barrow mum has dreamt up the sweetest of ideas to raise funds for the cancer centre that helped her older brother beat the disease – and who will soon treat her mother.
Outward Bound Trust worker Kristel Kemp has been baking non-stop to raise funds for Rosemere Cancer Centre, South Cumbria’s and Lancashire’s regional specialist cancer treatment and radiotherapy centre at the Royal Preston Hospital.
Kristel’s mum will also soon begin treatment at the centre after being diagnosed in March.
Kristel, 41, who lives with sons Jack, 15 and Charlie, 10, has been baking as part of her “Cakes Against Cancer” project.
For the last three weeks, she has made, sold and delivered hundreds of cupcakes and traybake slices, as well as savoury treats such as sausage rolls and picnic packs.
Demand on the rise
Demand for her homemade goodies means she has already raised more than £1,000 for the Rosemere Cancer Centre.
It was here that her brother Jamie Kemp, 46, was referred for chemotherapy after being diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2010.
Jamie, who runs Yarlside Stores in Barrow with his wife Michaela and their two sons, was given the all-clear five years ago but now mum Wendy Kemp, who also lives in Barrow with husband Les, is set to become a patient for a six-week course of daily radiotherapy following surgery for tonsil cancer.
Kristel said: “There’s nothing I hate more than cancer and nothing I love better than cake so ‘Cakes against Cancer’ is the perfect way for me to give something back for my brother’s treatment and the treatment my mum is about to undergo.
“It seems unfair that cancer has come knocking at my family’s door again but we are all rallying around mum and also, dad.
“My brother couldn’t speak highly enough of the treatment and care he received at Rosemere Cancer Centre and we are hoping mum’s experience will be equally positive.”
Kristel, whose dream is to open a little café by the sea, added: “I can’t believe how well ‘Cakes against Cancer’ is doing. I am so grateful to everyone who has bought my baking.
“I thought I’d be baking just for family and friends but so many people have shared my ‘Cakes against Cancer’ story on social media that I have customers I don’t know and have never met before delivering their orders!”
To make a “Cakes against Cancer” order, contact Kristel via her Facebook page, www.facebook.com/KKbakescakesagainstcancer
Kristel also raised almost £6,000 for the cancer centre after taking on three huge tests of stamina following Jamie’s all clear – climbing 38 Wainwright Lakeland fells in five days, finishing the Total Warrior Race in Shap in 2015 and in 2016 and completing the mountain pass ultramarathon The Ultimate Trails 110km.
She also has a JustGiving page at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/kkbakescakesagainstcancer
