Ducks and Drakes Cancer Trust marks the end of 2024 with remarkable achievements in supporting cancer patients across Dorset, thanks to unprecedented community backing and successful fundraising initiatives.
 
The Trust has distributed significant funding to key healthcare organisations, including a £5,000 donation to Dorset County Hospital Charity, pushing their total hospital support beyond £200,000. Additional major contributions include £8,750 to Mosaic for vital family support services, £5,000 to Fortuneswell Cancer Trust for reflexology services, and £5,000 to Weldmar Hospice for implementing an innovative IT system that ensure safety, efficiency and cost effectiveness in prescribing medicines.
 
"Without the support of the local community, we could not continue to help make a difference to so many cancer patients in Dorset," says Annette Drake, co-founder of Ducks and Drakes Cancer Trust. "We thank you for your support."
 
Notable fundraising achievements in 2024 included:

• NFU's generous donation of £6,509
• Puddletown RFC raising £3,078 for specialist equipment
• Stags Estate Agents including the Trust as one of four beneficiaries in their £60,000 fundraising campaign
• Dorchester Town FC's renewed lottery support

 
A particularly touching contribution came from fundraisers Tash and Becky, who covered 140 miles - one running, one cycling - over 40 days, raising £2,030 in memory of their friend Amy, who received support from the Trust during her battle with bowel cancer.
 
The impact of these donations has been profound. At Weldmar Hospice, where Ducks and Drakes has contributed £43,757 over the years, the latest donation supports a new Electronic Prescription and Medicine Administration system, enhancing patient care efficiency.
 
Wayne Butcher, head of funding at Mosaic, acknowledged the Trust's ongoing support: "Mosaic is extremely grateful for the very generous donation from Ducks & Drakes. This funding will help us to continue our essential support in Dorset for children, young people and their families."
 
"As a volunteer-run organisation, we ensure that donations like this go directly to supporting patient care." Said Marjorie Brewer, Joint Honorary Secretary at Fortuneswell Cancer Trust.
 
Simon Pearson, Head of Charity at Dorset County Hospital, expressed his gratitude: "Our heartfelt thanks to all at Ducks and Drakes Cancer Trust for their extraordinary support. This wonderful donation takes the total they have donated in support of Dorset County Hospital to over £200,000!"
 

​Ducks and Drakes Cancer Trust has donated £5,000 to support vital reflexology services for cancer patients through the Fortuneswell Cancer Trust, demonstrating the power of local charities working together to enhance cancer care in Dorset.
 
The donation will help continue the provision of reflexology services at Dorset County Hospital, offering complementary therapy support to patients undergoing cancer treatment. This contribution reflects Ducks and Drakes' ongoing commitment to supporting cancer patients in the local community.
 
Ducks and Drakes Cancer Trust, established to raise awareness of bowel cancer in young people aged 18-30, has been making significant impacts across Dorset through their three-fold mission: creating awareness of bowel cancer in young people, supporting patients and families with specialist equipment and financial aid, and funding specialist nurses at Dorset County Hospital's Colorectal Department.
 
This latest collaboration comes at a time when the Fortuneswell Cancer Trust continues to make substantial investments in local cancer care, including a £350,000 contribution to the Robert White Centre and £100,000 towards the ongoing refurbishment of the Chemotherapy Unit, due for completion in April 2025.
 
"We are delighted to support the invaluable reflexology services provided through Fortuneswell Cancer Trust. As someone who understands the cancer journey first hand, I know how important complementary therapies can be alongside medical treatment. This £5,000 donation reflects our commitment to supporting local cancer patients in practical, meaningful ways. The work that Fortuneswell does in providing these services is incredible, and we're proud to help them continue making a difference in patients' lives." said Nettie Drake, co-founder of Ducks and Drakes.
 
"This generous donation from Ducks and Drakes Cancer Trust will help ensure we can continue providing vital complementary therapy services to local cancer patients," said Marjorie Brewer
Joint Honorary Secretary from Fortuneswell Cancer Trust.
"As a volunteer-run organisation, we ensure that donations like this go directly to supporting patient care."
 
The partnership between these two local charities exemplifies how collaborative efforts can enhance the quality of cancer care in Dorset, supporting both essential cancer-related services and complementary therapies that support patients' overall wellbeing during their cancer journey.

For more information visit: 
https://fortuneswellcancertrust.co.uk/

Looking for a fun and festive way to celebrate the holiday season while supporting a great cause? Ducks and Drakes Cancer Trust is excited to invite you to Ben Waters & Friends Charity Night on Friday 20th December. This highly anticipated event will take place the Ocean Room, Weymouth Pavilion, and promises to be an unforgettable evening of music, dancing, and charity.
 
Ben Waters, the world-renowned boogie-woogie pianist, will be joined by his talented friends for an energetic and entertaining performance. Whether you're planning a Christmas work party, a gathering with friends, or a festive night out, this event offers the perfect opportunity to enjoy live music, good company, and a joyful atmosphere—all while raising funds for Ducks and Drakes Cancer Trust, which supports young people living with bowel cancer in Dorset.
 
Doors open at 7:30 pm, and the music kicks off at 8:00 pm. Alongside the incredible live performances, there will be a fully licensed bar, ensuring you have everything you need for a fantastic evening.
 
Tickets are priced at £30 per person, with all proceeds going directly to supporting the vital work of Ducks and Drakes Cancer Trust. Don’t miss out—tickets are selling fast, and this is the perfect way to kick off the festive season in style while making a meaningful contribution to a local charity.
 
Event Details:

• Date: Friday, 20th December 2024
• Time: Doors open at 7:30 pm, music starts at 8:00 pm
• Location: Ocean Room, Weymouth Pavilion, Weymouth
• Tickets: £30 per person
• Booking: https://weymouthpavilion.com/shows/ben-waters-friends-charity-night/

 
Gather your colleagues and friends for an amazing night out, support a fantastic cause, and get into the Christmas spirit with live music from Ben Waters & Friends!
 

Ducks and Drakes Cancer Trust is thrilled to announce that Puddletown Rugby Club has once again shown its generous support for the Trust, raising an incredible £2,500 at their recent charity ball. The funds will help the Trust continue its vital work in supporting young people living with bowel cancer in Dorset and providing specialist equipment to local cancer support organisations.
 
“We are immensely grateful to Puddletown Rugby Club for their continued commitment to supporting our cause,” said Nettie Drake, founder of Ducks and Drakes Cancer Trust. “The funds raised at their recent ball will go a long way in helping us provide much-needed assistance to young people affected by bowel cancer in our community. Their unwavering support over the years has made a real difference, and we can’t thank them enough.”
 
The Ducks and Drakes Cancer Trust is dedicated to providing essential services and financial aid to those impacted by bowel cancer in Dorset. Events such as the Puddletown Rugby Club’s charity ball are vital in raising awareness and ensuring the Trust can continue its work.

The annual Ducks and Drakes Cancer Trust Clayshoot, held on 7th July in Plush, has once again proven to be a resounding success, raising an impressive £5,022.99. The funds will go directly towards supporting young people living with bowel cancer in Dorset, as well as providing specialist equipment to local cancer support organisations, including Dorset County Hospital.
 
"Our clayshoot has become a highly anticipated event each year, and we are deeply grateful to all the participants who travel from across the UK to join us," said Jane Weeden, trustee of Ducks and Drakes Cancer Trust. "Special thanks go to Pete Hiscock, who has generously allowed us to use his ground for over a decade. Thanks to his support, we have raised more than £40,000 over the years! We also extend our heartfelt gratitude to John Spademan and his team from Akeley Shooting in Northamptonshire, who have faithfully brought the equipment and helped organise the event each year."
 
The Trust also thanked the many volunteers who dedicated their time and energy to helping with the event, ensuring that everything ran smoothly.
 
As the event continues to grow in popularity, Ducks and Drakes Cancer Trust is excited to announce that the dates for the 2025 clayshoot will be revealed soon. 

Massive thank you to all who attended our Annual Clay Shoot this Sunday…

Special thanks should go to Pete Hiscock who has allowed us to use his ground over the last 10 years where we have made in excess of £40,000 in total!!

To John Spademan & his team from Akeley Shooting in Northamptonshire who have come down each year with all the equipment & helped organise over the weekend.

Big thanks to all the volunteers who came & helped on the traps all day.

To our Sponsors:
P Hiscock
Greenslade Taylor Hunt
George Albert Hotel
Pearce Seeds
C J Cox Engineering 
J Foot Contractor 
ETS Trucks
Friars Moor Vets
Synergy Vets
J Frampton-Conyers
Duffields
A& R Fraser Contracting
Buckland Newton Hire
George Ireland 

Prize winners:

Top Man
Colin Hanson - 45

Top Lady
Abbie Coutanche - 41

Top Vet
Colin Barnes - 45

Top team
Akeley Finest - 157

Flush
Akeley Finest

Profit to be announced soon!

Exciting News!

We are thrilled to announce a wonderful partnership with Dorchester Town FC as they relaunch the Dorchester Lottery! This initiative not only brings you the chance to win monthly cash prizes but also provides fantastic support for both the football club and our mission at Ducks & Drakes Cancer Trust.

A big THANK YOU to Dorchester Town FC for championing our cause and helping us make a difference in the lives of those affected by cancer. Your support is invaluable and greatly appreciated by our community.

Ready to be a part of this win-win opportunity? Sign up now to participate in the Dorchester Lottery.
Every ticket purchased helps support vital cancer support services and our local sports heroes!

Sign up online here!
https://www.dorchestertownfc.co.uk/lottery

Let’s make a difference together!
#DucksAndDrakesCancerTrust #DorchesterTownFC #CommunitySupport #DorchesterLottery
Dorchester Town FC

Ducks and Drakes Cancer Trust is thrilled to announce that we have been selected as one of the four beneficiaries by West Country Estate Agent - Stags, in their charitable initiatives for this year.
 
In honour of Stags’ 150th anniversary, the firm is embarking on a fundraising journey to support 4 charities throughout the South West. A series of exciting and ambitious events will be hosted by the staff from all 22 Stags offices, aiming to collect a grand total of £50,000! The planned activities include an extensive 420-mile bike tour linking each office and a delightful 'Great Stags Bake Off' competition.
 
This significant fundraising effort will directly benefit cancer patients and their families in the region, with every contribution supporting the vital work of Ducks & Drakes in Dorset, alongside SURE in Somerset, FORCE in Devon, and the Tanya’s Courage Trust in Cornwall.
 
Find out more here - https://www.stags.co.uk/articles/advising-the-west-country-for-150-years
 
Support Stags Fundraising on GoFundMe - https://gofund.me/ecf56e73

From the picturesque shores of Dorset to the rugged coastlines of Scotland, Will Blight, a fervent cyclist from Melcombe Bingham, embarked on an ambitious voyage! This wasn't just any journey but a mammoth 4,913-mile cycle on his trusty Brompton cycle, all around the coasts of England, Wales, and Scotland. And if that wasn't enthralling enough, Will added a twist: a mission to visit as many coastal castles as he could, even venturing inland when the spirit moved him.
 
Setting out on 26th March, Will's pedal-powered expedition spanned 215 intense days, culminating on 26th October at the historic Military Keep in Dorchester. But the essence of this adventure was more than just the thrill of the journey. It was about making a difference. Will dedicated his journey to the noble cause of Ducks & Drakes, raising a whopping £4,929 for the charity.
 
The journey's climax was a heartwarming celebration at the Fox Inn, Ansty, where a further £560 was raised in honour of Will's awe-inspiring feat.
 
Reliving the poignant moment of his arrival, Will exclaimed, “I was back in the same place that seven months to the day, I had left! There was a jubilant cheer and I proudly raised my top hat as I pedalled the final stretch. My heart swelled with gratitude for everyone present, especially those from Ducks & Drakes, the Steampunks, and even those who had journeyed from afar. The fatigue hit me suddenly, but the overwhelming support made every mile worth it. A heartfelt thank you to every soul who backed me on this monumental endeavour.”
 
Touched by Will’s unparalleled dedication, Nettie Drake, co-founder of the Ducks and Drakes Cancer Trust, shared, “It's hard to put into words the magnitude of Will’s challenge. Our hearts brim with gratitude. A special mention to The Fox Inn, Ansty, for being the backdrop of the return celebration and their generous contribution. Every penny raised will help us continue to support young bowel cancer patients and Dorset-based cancer organisations.”
 
Today, as the tale of Will Bligh's coastal castle quest echoes far and wide, it stands as a testament to human spirit, endurance, and the difference one can make with passion and determination.
Read more about his adventures here: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087797961234
​

Will Blight is taking on a huge challenge to raise funds for Ducks & Drakes Cancer Trust. Please sponsor him via his JustGiving page

"My name is Will Blight and I live in Melcombe Bingham, in Dorset. This year I'm going to cycle, unsupported, around the entire coast of England, Wales and Scotland (including many of the Scottish Islands) all in aid of Ducks & Drakes. 
And I've given myself the task of visiting as many castles as I can on the coast (plus inland to a degree at my discretion), to make it more interesting!

I'm calling it: Coast and Castles Cycle for Ducks & Drakes Cancer Trust - this is also the name of the Facebook Page I have set up.

For those that don't know, Ducks & Drakes is a Cancer trust here in Dorset, run by volunteers, that supports youths diagnosed with bowel cancer and are going through difficult times. They could not help without the generosity of fundraisers and their supporters.

Though a long time ago now, I have done this sort of trip before - twice! In 2004 and 2006 I went clockwise and anticlockwise respectively. Going to all the RNLI Lifeboat Stations in the UK, on that second trip, was a challenge and a half! As I have discovered, my bike and trailer combination gets noticed a lot, because it is rather unusual.

I'm planning to leave on 26th March and my official send-off will probably be in Dorchester. I just need to confirm a few things first."

Thank you Will for your support!!