'Hug in a bag' offered to cancer patients in Devon

A charity which started around a kitchen table is making a difference to people being treated for cancer.

Chemotivation, founded in Hatherleigh, Devon, has handed out 150 of what volunteers call Hope in a Tote bags to patients at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (RD&E) in the year it has been active.

The bags contain a mixture of practical items, including pill organisers, soft tooth brushes, a thermometer to check for sepsis; plus treats such as gentle hand soaps, puzzle books, hand-knitted hats, scarves and gloves.

Marian Southwick said she was inspired to set up the charity after her husband had a pack of little presents "on one of the darkest days" during treatment for pancreatic cancer.

She said: "It [his pack of presents] made a huge difference to us.

"We wanted to make the same difference to the people who are receiving chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy at the Royal Devon."

The charity was previously only able to give out the tote bags to people from certain postcodes but said it had now expanded to be able to be given to anyone receiving cancer treatment at the hospital.

The contents of the bags have been funded by events such as Cancer Research UK's Big Lunch, as well as from money raised by local organisations such as the Lewdown Young Farmers Club.

Clare Rowley, clinical matron for cancer services at the RD&E, said the project made things easier "for patients going through this difficult time, knowing that people in the community are supporting them and want to help".

"That's really great," she added.

Breast cancer patient Claire Smith said: "You get things like this and [you know] people are thinking of you. You're not alone... small things mean a lot."

Some patients who have received the bags have also volunteered to help out with items to put in them.

Kate Bailey, who has been treated for follicular lymphoma, is a potter and said wanted to make ceramic hearts for the totes as a keepsake because receiving one of the black and hot pink bags had meant to much to her.

"This makes you feel seen, it's so nice. It's like a hug in a bag, it makes you feel loved", she said.

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