• Swindon & Wiltshire Community champions
• Thursday June 6 2024
• Author Name: Peter Davison

Swindon’s Haines Watts supports charity netball tournament

Accountancy firm Haines Watts Swindon has announced its support for Lawn Netball Club’s recent junior and upcoming adult netball tournament, held in aid of the breast cancer charity, CoppaFeel!

Over 45 teams took part in this year’s tournaments, which included a newly-added junior event.

Lawn Netball Club member Gemma Duff organised the tournaments to raise funds and awareness for CoppaFeel!, a charity committed to eradicating the late detection of breast cancer in young people.

CoppaFeel! was founded by Kris Hallenga, after she was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer at the age of 23, having initially been dismissed by doctors due to her young age.

She passed away on May 6 this year.

Kris founded Coppafeel to educate young people on checking their chests, knowing their normal and advocating for their health.

Her hope was that one day Coppafeel! would no longer be necessary as all diagnosis would be early, giving young people the best possible chance of a cure.

Gemma shared her personal motivation for spearheading these events: “I was diagnosed with secondary/incurable breast cancer when I was 35 years of age.

“I had no obvious risk factors, no family history and was told it was almost certainly nothing to worry about as I was ‘too young’ to have breast cancer.

“By the time I was diagnosed it had already spread to my bones meaning that it was no longer curable.”

“These tournaments aim to raise funds to help CoppaFeel! continue to do its amazing work raising awareness in young people, encouraging them to check their bodies, to know their normal and to advocate for their health and get any changes checked; and to raise awareness in young people within our community of the importance of knowing their own bodies.”

The junior tournament, held on May 12, saw participation from 20 teams aged 11-14. The senior tournament will be held on June 30 at Dorcan Leisure Centre in Swindon.

The junior tournament itself raised £2,377 for the charity and the club is hoping to achieve over £5,000 across both tournaments.

Haines Watts Swindon sponsored a court for both events, which will feature over 400 players, along with numerous supporters.

Mike Lloyd, managing partner of Haines Watts Swindon said “We are delighted to support Lawn Netball Club and CoppaFeel! in their efforts to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer.

“Community events like these are crucial in spreading vital health messages and celebrating a spirit of solidarity.”