Sheffield fundraiser who has raised over £15,000 for children’s cancer charity nominated in national ‘giveback’ campaign
Diane Hallewell has been nominated in the BIG Christmas Giveback for her fundraising work for PACT in Sheffield. The competition has £1500 in Sheffield City Centre Gift Cards as a possible prize, and Diane needs your nominations to win
A Sheffield woman dedicated to fundraising for a local children’s cancer charity following her own cancer battle has been nominated in a national competition, The BIG Christmas Giveback, which aims to celebrate local heroes.
Diane Hallewell has undertaken multiple fundraising activities for PACT charity including a sponsored skydive following her recovery from cancer, a sponsored zip line and regular coffee mornings.
PACT, who are based at Sheffield Children’s Hospital, offers emotional, social, and practical support to families in South Yorkshire who have children and young individuals battling cancer, aiming to enhance their quality of life. The charity offered support to Diane’s son during his cancer treatment as a child.
The person or organisation with the most nominations in the competition will win a £1000 Town & City Gift Card, such as the Sheffield City Centre Gift Card, with one person who nominated them winning a £500 gift card.
Megan Walker nominated her godmother Diane in The BIG Christmas Giveback and said: “Diane wanted to give back to PACT for the help they gave them when her son was a child. She initially set out to raise £10,000 and almost reached it before the pandemic hit. Diane was diagnosed with breast cancer herself however in 2017, in true Diane style, she decided to just get up and make it happen to reach the goal she set out to achieve. In 2020 for her 60th birthdays she did a sponsored skydive with her most recent sponsored venture being a zip line at 66-years-old. Today, she has raised over £15,000.
“Diane is a lovely, caring person and has got a real community behind her. She always has an event coming up, is shaking a charity tin under your nose or a raffle underway. Diane is a born and bred, proud Yorkshire woman that just gets on with things. We definitely don’t tell Diane enough how amazing she is, and it would be lovely to see Diane win the Sheffield City Centre Gift Card. Knowing Diane, she would want to use it to help PACT and raise even more funds for them.”
Diane Hallewell said: “When my son had cancer, and went through radiotherapy, chemotherapy and a 12 hour operation, PACT helped us so much. I stayed with my son all the time and they used to make sure I got something to eat. They do so much to support families and now have a PACT house where families can stay if their child is receiving treatment at Sheffield Children’s Hospital. I know the difference PACT makes and that’s why I fundraise for them.
“After a routine mammogram, I was told I had cancer myself and went through my own battle including chemotherapy, radiotherapy and an operation. It made me more determined than ever to fundraise for the children going through similar treatment. Every day I felt ill, I thought 'I can’t feel as ill as those children'. I loved every minute of doing the skydive and zip line because I knew that if I’d come through treatment, I could do that too.
“I host regular coffee mornings to raise funds and if I won, I’d use the Sheffield City Centre Gift Card to buy prizes. PACT also offers welcome packs for families, and it would be lovely to use some of it to go into welcome backs for them.”
Beryl Welburn from PACT said: “I first met Diane when her son was diagnosed with cancer and she became a member of PACT. Diane was always extremely grateful for the support she got from PACT while her son was on the ward. It’s just the little things like popping over with a sandwich and a hug to make sure they were both OK. This is something Diane has never forgotten and has always supported the charity wherever she can, whether selling Christmas cards or doing a raffle.
"Diane has done some extreme things in the name of PACT like throwing herself out of plane, and this year she has done the longest zip wire. Her courage, bravery and determination is absolutely amazing. She does a yearly fashion show, and I always end up being a model. I can assure you I wouldn’t do this for anyone else! I feel like Diane and all her hard work has helped lots of people to learn about PACT and the work we do.”
The Sheffield City Centre Gift Card is part of the award winning Town & City Gift Card concept from fintech Miconex. Over 20,000 local businesses are part of Miconex’s local gift card programmes around the world with over £45m spent locally through the cards.
Richard Pilgrim, project manager at Sheffield BID said: “It’s wonderful to read this nomination for Diane, a true community hero making a positive impact in our city. It is the person or organisation who has the most nominations who will win, so please take a moment to nominate today.”
Colin Munro, CEO of Miconex, said: “Since its launch in 2017, the Sheffield City Centre Gift Card has consistently given back to the city, giving people and organisations a local choice for gifts, rewards and incentives. The BIG Christmas Giveback is also about giving back and recognising unsung heroes in our communities like Diane.”
Nominate Diane, or another person or organisation in The BIG Christmas Giveback at: www.lovelocalwin.co.uk by November 28.