This desire became a reality in May 2005, when Lynn Barber, secretary to the Colorectal Nursing Team, undertook a sponsored walk of the Cotswold Way; walking an average of 15 miles per day from Wootton Edge to Chipping Campden, some 77 miles in total.
As a result of this wonderful effort Lynn raised a total of £1500 which provided funds to start our Club.
Invitations were sent out to all patients on the department books and the inaugural meeting took place in the Outpatients foyer in September 2007. Over 160 people attended. Avril expanded her ideas about the Club, a competition was held to select a name and the winning proposal established the A.B.C. Club. Standing for “Affected by Bowel Cancer”
Now, more than a decade on, Avril has retired but her legacy remains and is steadily growing, not only in membership but has expanded from being solely a social gathering to a Club which now actively supports patients in need with money raised through raffles, fund raising events and some very generous donations from supporters.
Today the Colorectal Nursing Team, headed by Tracey Becker, continue to be active members of our Club and we are lucky enough to be well supported by the medical staff and senior management.