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Tea for Helen Celebrations Mark Helen Rollason’s 70th Birthday

Helen Rollason Cancer Charity was delighted to celebrate what would have been Helen Rollason’s 70th birthday with special Tea for Helen events at our Support Centres in Hatfield Peverel and Harlow.

The events brought together clients, volunteers, supporters, local organisations and community leaders to honour Helen’s remarkable legacy while raising vital funds to support people living with cancer across Essex. Guests enjoyed tea, coffee and cake, while our therapists offered complimentary taster sessions and exercise classes, providing visitors with an insight into the wide range of support available through our centres.

At our Mid Essex Support Centre, we were honoured to welcome four Mayors, including representatives from Chelmsford, Burnham-on-Crouch and Witham, alongside Julie Fosh, High Sheriff of Essex. During her visit, Julie presented a certificate recognising the invaluable contribution of our volunteers and the difference they make to the charity and the people we support every day.

Guests were also touched by a heartfelt message from Nikki Rollason, Helen’s daughter, who reflected on her mother’s life, achievements and the lasting impact of the charity she inspired. Her words served as a powerful reminder of how Helen’s vision continues to help thousands of people affected by cancer across the county.

Meanwhile, our West Essex Support Centre in Harlow welcomed a fantastic turnout of clients, volunteers, staff, local charities, grant funders and community representatives. We were delighted to be joined by Councillor Andrew Johnson and representatives from the Doris Macer Foundation, whose generous funding has helped support both our core services and the refurbishment of the centre.

We would also like to thank the local stallholders who attended the event and generously donated prizes for the raffle, helping to create a fun and welcoming atmosphere for all who came along.

More than anything, the events highlighted the incredible community spirit that surrounds the charity. It was wonderful to see so many people coming together to celebrate Helen’s legacy, connect with others and support those affected by cancer. The funds raised will be reinvested directly into our local Support Centres, helping us continue to provide essential wellbeing therapies, counselling, guidance and support to people across Essex.

Keep Helen's Legacy Alive with Tea for Helen

Tea for HelenThe Tea for Helen campaign will continue throughout the year, giving people across Essex a simple and enjoyable way to support a local cause. Whether you choose to host a coffee morning, afternoon tea, bake sale, community gathering or fundraising event with friends and family, every cup of tea can make a real difference.

By taking part, you will help us continue Helen’s legacy and ensure that people living with cancer have access to the support they need, when they need it most.

To find out more, request a free fundraising pack, or learn about the services available through Helen Rollason Cancer Charity, visit Tea for Helen or email fundraising@helenrollason.org.uk.

Together, we can continue building a caring and supportive community for people affected by cancer across Essex. 💙

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Make a difference

We are calling on everyone in our community to play a vital role in helping us to fundraise which will allow us to continue enabling quality of life while living with cancer. 

Looking for support?

From complementary therapies to counselling and support groups, Helen Rollason Cancer Charity offers free, compassionate care tailored to your needs. You’re not alone – let us support you every step of the way.

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.