Charity fashion show shines a spotlight on people affected by cancer in Doncaster
Yorkshire Cancer Research has held its first supporter fashion show at the charity's new superstore in York, shining a spotlight on the experiences of people affected by cancer and their families in Yorkshire.
The fashion show brought together 15 people from across the region to model outfits sourced entirely from Yorkshire Cancer Research shops. Each person who took part represented the fact that every 15 minutes, someone in Yorkshire is told they have cancer.
Mother and daughter Lynn and Jemma Hall, from Doncaster, walked down the catwalk together to celebrate the life-changing impact of research after a challenging year when Lynn was diagnosed with cancer.
Following a visit to her GP with abdominal pains in December 2025, 58-year-old Lynn was told she had a fast-growing type of oesophageal cancer in January.
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Lynn said: “We spent the Christmas before on edge. We tried to carry on the usual festivities, but it was hard. Christmas is all about family and togetherness, so it makes you think about everything you could lose. When I was then told I had cancer in January, it was such a bombshell.”
Jemma added: “Mum is my beautiful, incredible, selfless, caring best friend, so to hear the word ‘cancer’ connected to her was hard to accept.”
After her diagnosis, Lynn was referred to Active Together, the research-backed cancer exercise treatment service funded by Yorkshire Cancer Research. The expert team of cancer specialists helped Lynn prepare for her operation to remove the tumour and rebuild her strength afterwards.
Lynn said: “The difference exercise has made physically and mentally has been enormous. The Yorkshire Cancer Research Active Together service has helped me to feel like myself again.”
“My consultant told me because of the scale of the surgery, I should expect to spend at least two weeks in hospital. But I was home in seven days. To think that time was effectively halved through cancer exercise treatment pioneered here in Yorkshire is remarkable.”
Inspired by her mother’s experience, Jemma completed this year’s Great North Run to support the life-saving work of Yorkshire Cancer Research.
She said: “I saw the difference the charity’s exercise service made to Mum. From the very first session, she just lit up. If I couldn’t help her directly with her medical treatment, I wanted to help fund research and services that give more families in Yorkshire the same chance we’ve had.”
Jemma said: “Last Christmas, we didn’t know what the future held. This Christmas, thanks to vital research and services in Yorkshire, Mum can be with her family.”