Salisbury steel firm director raises £40k to help sister-in-law fight cancer

Jack Toomer, director of Salisbury-based steel fabricators Toomers, is busy raising more than £40,000 for Southampton Hospital charity Hamwic House.

Jack, 34, who lives in Totton with his family, organised a golf day at Paultons Golf Centre which raised £28,595, and is set to run the Manchester Marathon – so far raising £11,000.

He’s raising money for the charity to help support his sister-in-law, Tayler, 30, who had been living in Hong Kong with her partner Freddie (Jack’s brother) when at the beginning of 2023 she felt a small lump on her breast.

Originally diagnosed as a cyst, Tayler got on with life and started organising her wedding, getting married to Freddie in late August.

However, the cyst was growing at an alarming rate and a couple of weeks before her 30th birthday she had a small procedure to have the cyst removed.

Tayler, from Alderbury near Whiteparish, takes up the story: “They also did a biopsy which confirmed that the cyst was in-fact cancerous. This was when our lives started to be turned upside down.

“I was sent back to the hospital for MRI scans, mammograms and full body CT scans over the next couple of days and luckily there didn’t seem to be any spread, other than to the lymph nodes.

“Another surgery had to take place to remove the tissue from around the original site and check the lymph nodes to see if they did need to be removed, which they were as two had cancer within them.

“The diagnosis was an aggressive, triple negative, stage 2 ductal carcinoma and I would have to endure some heavy chemotherapy and radiation treatment.

“Being on the other side of the world from your family and friends whilst dealing with such a shocking situation, I knew that I needed to get back home for the next stage of the treatment.

“As soon as I was fit to fly from surgery, I booked myself a one-way ticket back to the UK and had a referral with the Southampton General Hospital Oncology team urgently.

“It’s staggering how diligent and caring the oncology unit has been! I was seen within a week by a consultant and chemo was started a couple of weeks after that.

“The NHS gets so much grief from the long waiting times, but when it really matters, they have it covered.”

With Tayler being treated at Hamwic House, brother-in-law Jack decided to raise funds for the charity.

“The whole family and our friends wanted to show our support for Tayler so I thought I’d run a marathon – the Manchester one seemed ideal,” Jack explained.

“The problem is I wasn’t even a runner; I had a business to run and my wife Katie and I had just had our fourth baby. Things were a bit hectic to say the least!”

Despite this lack of experience, Jack and best friend Mick Loveridge embarked on a gruelling training programme.

Jack then had the idea of raising fund through a golf day as well, with 80 of his friends and family turning up at Paultons for a charity fundraising.

Another of Jack’s friends, Paul Ebbs, hosted the evening event and auction with assistance from Tom Wallace and Nick Robinson, with the full event attracting around 150 friends and family and raising £28,600.

Jack said: “I just want to thank everyone for all their support. It’s been more than we were ever expecting.

“From the bottom of my heart I cannot thank any of you enough. Tayler came and spoke at the golf day to thank everyone – it was both very brave of her and very moving.”

Tayler has been overwhelmed.

She said: “I cannot thank everybody enough. Of course my husband Freddie and my family, but especially Jack who has been amazing. I am so grateful for his help and determination.

She said the money could not be going to a better cause: “Seeing the bills from my surgery and quotations for chemotherapy in Hong Kong, it makes you realise just how incredible the NHS are when it comes to providing this level of treatment.

“The standard of care at Hamwic House is world class, they are kind, organised, efficient, reliable and it is a lovely space that makes a really hard time somewhat enjoyable and providing the feeling of a community!

“The team there have not only been physically treating me but also helped with the mental impact of such a horrific disease which affects so many people.

“However, these facilities are not possible without the funding and support, as with anywhere in the NHS.

“This incredible team at Hamwick House make do with what they have, but in order to keep providing this level of care for the thousands of people affected in the Southampton area they desperately need funding.

“Cancer rates are growing with more younger people diagnosed year on year.”

The JustGiving page is still live so any donations are very welcome to help Jack break the £40,000 barrier.