CancerCare’s 2025 Summer Raffle was won by surprised regular supporter, Mary Shuttleworth.

She popped into our Slynedales Centre with her daughter, Paula, where she was presented with a £500 cheque and a Sail ‘n’ Dine voucher for up to six people on Lake Windermere.

In an act of kindness, Mary decided to give the £500 back to CancerCare, so we can put the funds towards helping other people affected by cancer and bereavement.

Mary, who found out she’d won the prizes just a week prior to her 90th birthday, has been supporting CancerCare since 2007 — the year Paula’s late husband, Stephen, very sadly passed away after being diagnosed with oesophageal cancer. Since she started playing the Lottery almost 20 years ago, Mary has contributed over £630 to CancerCare.

After his diagnosis, Stephen had reflexology sessions at Slynedales and was also a member of our creative arts group. He made jewellery, including a bracelet and a ring that Paula still wears to this day.

Paula and her son, who was just 11 at the time, both had counselling at Slynedales after Stephen had died.
“We all found CancerCare immensely helpful; Stephen did, and I definitely did once he had passed away,” said Paula. “Mum chose to support after how we’d been cared for. Thank you for all you do — you do an amazing job.”

Mary has recently moved house, so getting the news to her that she’d won CancerCare’s 2025 Summer Raffle was a logistical challenge. She said: “I was completely shocked when I found out I’d won; I never expected it in a million years.”

Playing the Lottery is one of the easiest and most convenient ways to support CancerCare. You can sign up here for as little as £1 per week.