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Families enjoy a day in the past

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Nostalgia-seeking visitors stepped back in time at the HRCC Vintage Fair held to raise funds.

The annual event – organised by Helen Rollason Cancer Charity and held at Cressing Temple Barns – is one of the highlights of the year for our Charity.

Stalls selling a variety of items from decades gone by – including clothes, homeware and jewellery – attracted a steady stream of visitors looking for a vintage bargain.

The crowds were entertained by dance groups Air Raid Jive and Mr Dickie Bows with toe-tapping music from The Kingsmen, The Harmonettes and Sammy-Jo Evans.

The event also boasted a vintage car display, a variety of refreshments, and traditional entertainment for children such as Punch and Judy, a coconut shy and hook-a-duck.

Hair and beauty experts, HairRaid Shelter, also proved popular, offering visitors a chance for a vintage make-over.

The event attracted young and old alike. Among those enjoying themselves were the Evans family from Brentwood. “We are all having a fantastic time as there is something here for all ages,” said mum, Debbie. “It’s like we travelled back in time!”

Rachael Paisley and her daughter, Amber, were visiting the annual fair for the first time.

“We both love it here, the dancing and music is infectious, Amber is in awe of everyone that has come dressed in vintage clothes, and there’s such a great array of things to buy – I’ve run out of money, ” said Rachael.

Kate Alden, Fundraising Manager for the Hatfield Peverel-based Helen Rollason Cancer Charity, said the event had been a great success and looks set to raise thousands of pounds to support people living with cancer.

“It was great to see so many people enjoying themselves and we would like to thank them – and everyone associated with the event – for making it such a success,” she said.

“The money raised will make a difference to the lives of people in Essex, London and Hertfordshire living with cancer.”

Look out for more pictures being added over the coming days!

Don’t forget our upcoming Christmas Gift and Food Fair at Chelmsford City Race Course over the weekend of 26th and 27th November. Check back nearer the time for more details.

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Tom Carr

I worked as a urologist with a special interest in cancer until my retirement in 2016. The patient journey with a new cancer is now often long and complex. Many need help to live their best life after treatment. Simple survival and the absence of cancer is not enough, feeling well and whole again is the goal. Social and psychological support makes all the difference. I am happy to help Helen’s charity to deliver that.

Kully Byatt

I have retired following a career at a senior management level in a range of sectors specialising in Human Resources, Project Management, Coaching and Mentoring skills. In addition since 2000 I have undertaken a number of voluntary Trustee roles for a range of organisations.

Through my desire to give back to a Charity that my mother personally benefitted from by utilising Complementary Therapies, I have for a couple of years volunteered for Helen Rollason Cancer Charity in the Retail Team and more recently this has inspired me to take up the role of Trustee so that I can contribute to the governance of HRCC in continuing to deliver vital services that benefit the community.

Jacqui Goulbourn

I’m a qualified accountant with over 20 years experience working in the NHS in Essex and beyond.  I know how vital charities in the healthcare arena are, to fill in where government funding doesn’t reach.  As a volunteer Trustee, I am pleased to be able to offer my skills and experience to help HRCC deal with these challenges, allowing staff to have a greater focus on providing services to the clients.

Friederike Englund

I am a cancer nurse by background and have supported those affected by cancer for over thirty years. I have worked very closely with the team at Helen Rollason and have seen the tremendous benefit and improvement in wellbeing that patients and carers experience through the support they receive. I am very keen to ensure that Helen Rollason widens its reach across all communities in Essex and offers support services that are effective and based on the most up-to-date scientific evidence.

Dave Johnson

I have always wanted to give something back following a corporate career in business development for technical services within the automotive industry.

I joined HRCC as a trustee to offer support and guidance to the very capable management team. It is nice to share my experiences and It is rewarding to see the team grow and deliver such important services.

Ben Schneider

I have been involved with HRCC for 15 years, initially through providing corporate sponsorship for fundraising events and then as a member of the Board, acting as Chair between 2020 and 2024.

With over 25 years’ experience as a Company Director in the Tech sector, I aim to bring my expertise in strategy, governance and digital transformation to support the charity in striving towards Helen’s vision of making good quality of life while coping with cancer available to everyone.

Andy Higgs

I have worked in the IT industry for over 14 years and before that, was a long-term retail manager so I have a broad range of experience to contribute to my trustee role, across the operations and retail areas. I am a husband and father of two and having lived in Chelmsford for many years, I really appreciate the opportunity to work with an excellent local charity.

My family has a deep connection with the charity as my wife, Kerry works in the Hatfield Peverel Centre and one of the family, who previously used the services, now volunteers. We’ve also been known to jump on bikes and get involved as we’ve all taken part in the Ride For Helen event over the years.

I am one of the newer trustees but I’m looking forward to contributing to the Charity’s purpose and goals.