Generous restauranteur beefs up Croydon’s cancer support
20 June 2017
Croydon University Hospital’s cancer services have received £4,200 of donations after local restauranteur Farid Sanjoori wined and dined 140 charitable local citizens.
The lively fundraising event took place at Farid’s restaurant in South London called The Chateau. Farid, the Hospital’s on-site Macmillan Information and Support Service and cancer carer Joe de Souza ran the event, bringing together patients, carers, ward staff, therapists, volunteers, friends, families and his own patrons.
Instead of charging the 140 diners for the meal, Farid paid for all the food and service himself so they could focus on donating to the evening’s auctions and raffle. Prizes included a flying lesson, television, QPR t-shirt and more. The Rotary Club of Addiscombe and Shirley also donated £250 on the night. The nine-piece band Dr Elias and the Soul Surgeons arrived in an ambulance and performed without charge.
Macmillan has played a key role in supporting cancer patients and carers at Croydon University Hospital through funding the Macmillan Information and Support Service which provide emotional and practical support, Macmillan Nurses and now Macmillan Support Officers.
The Hospital currently has three of these officers, who are highly regarded by patients. They work alongside the Macmillan nurses and clinical teams to provide guidance and support to cancer patients. Macmillan has already funded Support Officers for prostate, lower gastro-intestinal and breast cancer. The donations will continue to improve cancer services for people in Croydon.
Thank you also to Benny Millier at The Macmillan Centre (located at Croydon University Hospital) for organising the event.
Farid Sanjoori said:
“This is a fantastic cause so I was very happy to provide a free venue, meals and drinks for this successful evening. It’s a great thing for local businesspeople to support the community when they can, so I will continue helping charities and hope many others do too.
“Like most people I have had unsettling health scares and, worse than that, I have lost loved ones too early. Charities are the perfect way to transform those negative situations back into something amazing.”
Dr Nicola Beech, Macmillan Lead Cancer Nurse at Croydon University Hospital, said:
“Farid goes the extra mile for Croydon’s charities and public, so we are very grateful for his help.
“Having cancer is a daunting, confusing and very worrying experience for patients and their families. Our guidance and support can make the process more manageable and assist them with the difficult or complex choices they face. We work alongside our clinical colleagues and allied health professionals at the hospital, and in partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support, to ensure patients receive the highest quality care possible.”
Macmillan is also supporting the development of the Hospital’s cancer nursing team to include an Advanced Nurse Practitioner role for gynaecology cancer and a Clinical Nurse Specialist for our Acute Oncology Early Diagnosis Service.
Croydon University Hospital consistently meets the national cancer standards for patients to be seen and diagnosed, and has one of the lowest cancer waiting times across London and compared to the national average.