Press release posted 13 July 2022

A tireless High Peak fundraiser has vowed to continue fundraising for The Christie, despite losing her husband John just before Christmas last year.

Joyce Shacklock and her husband John set up Daniel’s Light after the death of their son Daniel at the age of 20 in 1995. Daniel was treated at The Christie for 14 months for acute myeloid leukaemia.

Daniel’s Light has donated more than £250,000 to The Christie since Daniel passed away and most recently has raised £7,000 towards the new Christie at Macclesfield cancer centre.

Joyce, from Furness Vale, hosted a coffee morning recently and is organising a fundraising boat trip on the Judith Mary barge at Whaley Bridge on 11 September 2022.

In the past, Joyce and John, together with fellow family members and friends, raised money in many ways including coffee mornings, handbell ringing, discos, bingo nights and even a duck race.

Joyce said: “Despite the difficulties caused by COVID-19 over the last couple of years, Daniel’s Light has still been able to raise £7,000 for an amazing cause – the new Christie at Macclesfield cancer centre, helping to fund one of the consultation rooms.
“A big thank you to all the ladies who have helped over the years. It would not have been possible without all the wonderful supporters who have helped to keep Daniel’s name alive. I will continue to fundraise to honour the memory of both Daniel and my late husband John.
“The Christie at Macclesfield will deliver the very best patient care and treatment for people from High Peak and East Cheshire.”


Photo: Joyce Shacklock (front) with supporters at a recent coffee morning

The £26 million Christie at Macclesfield cancer centre opened on 13 December 2021, providing 46,000 patient appointments and visits each year and care closer to home for more than 1,500 patients a year.

In addition to 12,500 radiotherapy appointments and 6,800 chemotherapy, immunotherapy and hormonal treatments each year, The Christie at Macclesfield offers a range of holistic services including haematology treatments, outpatient care, nurse led clinics, counselling services, an information centre, palliative care and a more comprehensive range of clinical trials. 

The centre also has a CT scanner where treatments are planned, complementary therapy rooms and a charity centre.

Funded through £23m from The Christie charity, this new centre is transforming cancer care, treating patients from Cheshire, The High Peak area of Derbyshire and parts of North Staffordshire for the most common cancers like breast, bowel, lung and prostate. Patients with rare and complex cancers continue to be treated at The Christie in Withington.

Remembering Daniel, Joyce said: “He was such a brave and well-liked young man and is very sadly missed by everyone who knew him.”

Speaking about her husband John, Joyce Shacklock added: “Continuing to fundraise without John will be tough but it is what he would have wanted. He was a very dedicated father and loving husband who I miss terribly.”

Heather Brookfield from The Christie charity added: “Joyce is a truly inspirational fundraiser, and we were so sorry to hear about John’s passing last year. We are incredibly grateful to both John and Joyce for all the support they have given us over the years. Their fundraising for The Christie charity helped us to achieve our goal of opening The Christie at Macclesfield in December 2021.
“Fundraisers like Joyce make a huge difference to our patient care, support and treatment.”

Following the completion of the new Christie at Macclesfield cancer centre, there is still more to be done to support cancer patients as they go through their treatment. The Christie charity provides enhanced services over and above what the NHS funds. At Macclesfield, this will include complementary therapy, refreshments for patients, and other supportive services. Gifts from the public make a huge difference to the care and treatment that we can provide. To support patients at The Christie at Macclesfield, visit The Christie at Macclesfield campaign page or call the team on 0161 446 3988.