Be More Frank, a local charity fund already renowned for raising over £170,000, has been gifted 10 stunning and unique holiday lets in a bid to raise thousands more pounds of funding for local families who have a child with cancer.
The record-breaking special named fund of the Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust is the largest and fastest growing fund in the Charity’s history and shows no sign of slowing down for 2024.
Dr Jennifer Kelly, founder & CEO of the Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust said:
“It is wonderful to see how much Be More Frank has achieved since it was founded. As a charity, we are so grateful for Emma and Eddie’s tireless fundraising, which has enabled us to provide financial support to so many more families.
“It has also enabled us to double the size of the grants that families receive, meaning that our support can go even further. What an incredible legacy for a very special young man. #BeMoreFrank.“
The breaks range from a weekend to a full week, with venues including riverside cottages in rural Wales, a luxury Georgian house in Ross on Wye for 3 couples, and a week on the Isle of North Uist in Hebrides. And with the majority of the venues being dog friendly, the auction really does offer something for everybody.
Suzanne Protheroe, who has gifted her own property as part of the auction, said:
“As a family who have been visited by cancer, we are always keen to support local cancer charities, and when we read about ‘Be More Frank’ we wanted to do all we could to support its fundraising aims.”
The local business community has also shown its’ support.
Amy Williams the General Manager of Chelsea Parkfields in Ross on Wye who have donated 3 rooms at their luxury group accommodation venue said: “For companies within the Chelsea Group family, giving back and empowering communities that they work within is an important part of what we do.
“Chelsea Parkfields is honoured to be able to assist Be More Frank and we are truly humbled by all that they do. I hope that our small donation will have a big impact and really help those families going through the toughest of times.”
Emma Cleal, Frank’s Mum who founded Be More Frank said:
“We are blown away by the generosity of people who have gifted these holidays… quite frankly I’m very tempted to enter myself!
The holidays are valued at several thousand pounds so we are hoping to raise a significant amount to help local families. If you want to enter all you need to do is visit https://www.jumblebee.co.uk/BeMoreFrankholidayor go to our social media or our website and information on how to bid is there. The auction ends on 14th July so you need to get your skates on!
Not only is this an opportunity to secure a fantastic holiday break, if you were already considering planning time away, but by bidding on one of these breaks you tangibly help local families who might not have the opportunity to go away this year given their child’s diagnosis and treatment.
What it also does is raise awareness for this much needed support that Be More Frank provide. I know myself when Frank was having treatment the pressures it puts on you as a family, aside from emotional and physical, are also mental and practical.
“You can’t go to work, and you are worrying about how you are just going to pay your bills. We hope that we can relieve some of that stress for these families.”
Be More Frank was established by Emma and Eddie Cleal after their youngest son Frank died from a rare bone cancer. Frank was aged just 13 years old when he passed away and lived his short life to the full.
Be More Frank provide grants to the family of every single child with cancer in Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, Monmouthshire, Powys and Ceredigion. The grants are not means tested and are straight-forward to access. To date Be More Frank has raised £172.6k in Frank’s honour.
Details on how to enter can be found at https://www.jumblebee.co.uk/BeMoreFrankholiday or on social media channels viawww.bemorefrank.org
The auction is live from 29th June and ends Sunday 14th July.
