This Christmas, Hilltop Garden Centre is proud to support The Robin Cancer Trust, an amazing local charity based in Wivenhoe. To help this vital organisation continue its lifesaving work, we’ll be accepting voluntary donations at our festive activities throughout December. Here’s a closer look at the charity and the incredible difference they make to young people and their families across the country.
Who They Are
The Robin Cancer Trust is the UK’s Germ Cell Cancer Community, dedicated to saving young lives through education, support, and connection. They focus on raising awareness of the symptoms of testicular and ovarian cancers, ensuring early detection can save lives. Their mission is simple yet powerful: to prevent young adults from dying of germ cell cancers.
How They Save Lives
The Robin Cancer Trust operates on three core principles:
- Raising Awareness: Through award-winning digital campaigns and educational programmes, the charity spreads awareness of the signs and symptoms of germ cell cancers. They’ve delivered life-saving talks to over 100,000 young adults in schools, colleges, and workplaces.
- Offering Support: Facing cancer is one of the hardest challenges anyone can endure. The trust provides free care packages to newly diagnosed young people, offering practical support and comfort during their treatment journey.
- Connecting Communities: The trust unites survivors and those affected through their Ambassador Programme, offering a sense of belonging and purpose while empowering individuals to share their experiences and spread awareness.
Since its founding in 2012, The Robin Cancer Trust has reached millions of people online and engaged with hundreds of thousands across the community.
The Story Behind the Charity
The Robin Cancer Trust was founded in memory of Robin Freeman, a young man with a zest for life who tragically passed away at just 24. Robin was diagnosed in 2011 with a Mediastinal Germ Cell Tumour, a rare form of cancer. After 10 months of treatment, including chemotherapy and a stem-cell transplant, Robin’s medical team could do no more. He passed away on December 10th, 2011, surrounded by his loved ones.
Robin’s family made a promise: that he would never be just a photograph on the wall. They channelled their grief into creating a charity in his name, determined to save lives and ensure no other young person faces the same fate. Today, Robin’s story inspires countless others, and his legacy lives on through the trust’s extraordinary work.
How Your Donations Help
Every donation, no matter the size, can make a real impact. Here’s how:
- £10: Helps their awareness campaigns reach thousands of young people online.
- £25: Funds a care package for a young person recently diagnosed with cancer.
- £50: Enables the delivery of a life-saving educational talk to students in schools, colleges, or universities.
By making a voluntary donation at any of our events and activities throughout December, you’ll be directly helping The Robin Cancer Trust to spread awareness, support young adults in their darkest hours, and connect a community that fosters hope and empowerment.
How You Can Help
This December, Hilltop Garden Centre invites you to join us in supporting this incredible cause. Whether you’re bringing the kids to meet Santa, bringing the kids along for face painting, or enjoying watching our balloon modeller, you’ll have the opportunity to donate to The Robin Cancer Trust. Every penny goes towards their vital mission to save lives.
Together, we can make a difference for young adults facing germ cell cancer and honour the legacy of Robin Freeman. Let’s spread some Christmas cheer while supporting a local charity that’s changing lives every day.
