LILAC Raises Half a Million Pounds in Aid of Big C

Local fundraising group, LILAC (Ladies In League Against Cancer) has raised over £500,000 since it started supporting Big C Cancer Charity in 2005.

Ladies in League Against Cancer is a group of ladies raising funds for Big C Cancer Charity to support people affected by cancer and help their families and friends come to terms with the illness of a loved one.

The group was started by Theresa Cossey MBE and Gaye Youngman in 2005 as a voluntary fundraising group focused on fun and friendship, and raises funds to support the work of Big C.

In recent years LILAC has supported each of Big C’s Cancer Support Centres across the county, where they have funded a LILAC room, the most recent of which was the complementary therapy room at the new Norwich City Cancer Support Centre in Dereham Road, Norwich. Their fundraising efforts have also included funding a camera for UEA School of Biological Sciences, an annual student bursary at Norwich Research Park, projection equipment for the Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) Oncology Department and supporting the hospital’s Boudicca Appeal.

LILAC Ladies outside at the Norwich City Centre on Dereham Road

Gaye Youngman, chair of LILAC said “When Theresa Cossey MBE and I created LILAC in 2005 we had no idea how it would grow over the years to enable us to raise such significant funding. Our thanks go to the tremendous support we receive from our committee and our members, which enables us to continue each year with our programme of events and our support of the work of Big C, improving the lives of local people and their families affected by cancer.”

LILAC has announced that in 2024 it will support a 4-year PhD project in collaboration with Big C and the UEA Science Faculty, support the Big C ‘Nourish & Nurture’ nutrition and wellness programme as well as the creation of a Big C Family support programme in collaboration with the Jenny Lind Department at NNUH.

“We are incredibly grateful to LILAC for the tremendous amount of money they have raised over the years to aid Big C’s support for anyone in Norfolk and surrounding counties affected by cancer. The support services, equipment and research that has been funded by LILAC has made a great difference and will continue to do so now and into the future.”
DR CHRISTOPHER BUSHBY, CHIEF EXECUTIVE

Find out more about LILAC