Dorset Couple Raises Record £140K for Cancer Charity

When Clare Schwinge lost her school friend Nickie Butler to pancreatic cancer in 2023, she channeled her grief into action. Together with her husband Guy, she threw a garden party that would shatter fundraising records and bring hope to thousands of cancer patients across the region.

The couple transformed their home near Dorchester into a glittering Studio 54 celebration, complete with a marquee, celebrity chef-designed menu, and over 300 guests ready to make a difference. The evening featured silent and live auctions, raffles, games, and dancing under the stars.

Celebrity chef and PLANETS patron Lesley Waters, a close friend of Clare's, created a custom menu for the night. Local businesses rallied behind the cause, with title sponsors including Oberon, EpicPrint, Handelsbanken, Preston Redman Solicitors, and CG Fry & Son Builders stepping up to make the event possible.

Professor Alex Mirnezami, a consultant colorectal surgeon at University Hospital Southampton and part of the PLANETS medical team, addressed guests about the charity's groundbreaking work. PLANETS funds pioneering research, innovative treatments, and support for patients battling pancreatic, liver, colorectal, esophageal, gastric, and neuroendocrine cancers.

The evening wasn't just about Nickie's memory. Clare had lost other close friends and family members to cancer, strengthening her determination to create something meaningful that would directly improve care and outcomes for patients and their families.

The Ripple Effect

The £140,000 raised will fund specialist equipment, pioneering treatments, and patient support programs that touch lives across the entire region. Every pound goes directly to improving care for cancer patients when they need it most.

Jo Green, PLANETS' director of operations and marketing, called the result "simply phenomenal." She praised Clare for pouring her heart and soul into months of planning, working tirelessly to ensure every detail honored Nickie's memory while creating an unforgettable experience.

The charity also celebrated their dedicated volunteers Louise, Lorraine, Karen, and Dolly, whose willingness to help wherever needed played a vital role in the evening's success. Their generosity of time and spirit embodied the community spirit that made the record-breaking night possible.

Clare reflected on the overwhelming support: "To have raised £140,000 is beyond anything Guy and I imagined, and we're incredibly proud to support such an important cause." What began as a tribute to one cherished friend became the biggest single fundraising event in PLANETS' history, proving that love and community can create extraordinary change.