Jill Todd Trust provides boost for cancer charity

Colleen Shaw (second from left, front), Director of Friends of the Cancer Centre, receives £30,000 from the Jill Todd Trust, which was presented by Barrie Todd (third from left) and representatives of the Jill Todd Trust's committee.

The money was raised by the Trust at The Hillsborough Oyster Festival where local people have taken the charity to their hearts.

The Jill Todd Trust was established by well known Hillsborough couple Barrie and Trish Todd after their daughter Jill, an accomplished photographer, had her life taken by bowel cancer in 2010, aged only 23 years old.

Jill, who graduated with First Class Honours and was tipped for great things in her chosen profession, was very much a Hillsborough girl at heart and the town continues to celebrate her life and gifts.

Barrie Todd, Jill’s proud dad, said: “We formed the charity in memory of Jill with the dual aim of promoting the careers of young photographers and raising funds for research into the quest for a cure for the devastating disease that is bowel cancer and to care of those who suffer from it.

“We know that the donation made to Friends of the Cancer Centre will make a positive difference to the lives of people with cancer.”

Delighted to accept the donation, which will help local cancer patients and their families across Northern Ireland, Colleen Shaw, Director of Friends of the Cancer Centre, said; “The NI Cancer Centre provides cancer treatment for people throughout the province, working closely with Cancer Units based at Ulster, Antrim, Craigavon and Altnagelvin Hospitals.

“Everyone who is prescribed radiotherapy as part of their treatment will attend the Cancer Centre and many from across the province will also come here for specialist care.

“Our role, as the official charity of the Cancer Centre, is to provide the funding for people, projects and services which are outside and in addition to the provision already made by the Health Service. As a charity, we don’t decide for ourselves what we’d like to fund. Rather, we ask the people who know best: the Cancer Centre’s expert medical staff and the social services teams who are working directly with patients.

“That way we can be sure that the money we raise from the generosity of people like you gets to where it’s needed.

“We are called ‘Friends’ for a reason: we offer support when and where it is needed, but we couldn’t do that without the support of friends across our community and we are extremely grateful to Barrie and Trish and to their wide circle of friends and supporters in Hillsborough.”