Sisters open Weymouth charity shop in memory of mum who lost lung cancer battle

Danielle Baber, 27, and her sister Georgina, 25, will cut the ribbon and officially open a new Cancer Research UK store in St Mary Street tomorrow.

They will open the store in memory of their mum Joanne Reynolds who died from lung cancer in December 2018.

Danielle said: “Finding out that mum had cancer was completely devastating for us all. We were told initially that mum had between six and 12 months to live but she ended up having two-and-a-half years with us and that’s because of developments with research and new drugs that came available for her.

“The doctors and nurses gave her excellent care and she baffled them all with how she fought on – she was so positive throughout.

“In October last year we went away together on a family holiday to Portugal after mum had her scan. They’d told her to go and enjoy herself and not to worry about the results. But when we returned mum went into hospital and the cancer had spread a lot in a very short period of time.”

Danielle added: “In the end it was fairly quick and she passed away on December 4 last year at Weldmar Hospice with dad, Georgie and I by her side.”

The pair will be joined by their dad Steve, 57, at the shop’s official opening.

Danielle said: “We are really proud to be guests of honour and open Cancer Research UK’s new shop right here in Weymouth. It’s a lovely thing to do in mum’s memory and we hope lots of people come along and join in the celebrations with us.”

Julie Byard, Director of Trading for Cancer Research UK, said: “We are delighted to be opening our first shop in Weymouth. We will be providing a mix of quality items at bargain prices that I am confident shoppers in the town will love.”

The shop will be open seven days a week, from 9am-5.30pm Monday to Saturday and 10.30am-4.30pm on Sunday.

More volunteers are being sought who have an interest in retail and who can spare a few hours every week. Anyone interested should speak to manager Deborah Bradley.