A brother and sister from Pool are making the most of their time in lockdown by helping to carry on the fight against cancer – armed with rubber gloves and dusters.

Archie and Autumn Ward, aged nine and five, who attend Pencoys Primary School, are backing a ‘choresome’ way to raise funds for Cancer Research UK as the charity vows to continue its life-saving work.

The duo, whose proud mum Chantelle is a breast cancer survivor, are donating pocket money from their household chores to fund vital research.

Together they’re rallying people across Cornwall to clean up and cash in to help prevent the charity from losing out on crucial funding during these unprecedented times.

Whether it’s a full spring clean or daring family to dress up in their finery to put out the bins, sponsored chores are just one of the ways people can show their support.

Cancer Research UK has launched a new fundraising pack full of virtual tips and ideas to raise money at home and help continue its mission.

Chantelle, 34, knows first-hand just how important new breakthroughs and discoveries are to help people like her survive.

Having been diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer in September 2017, she is deeply worried about the devastating long-term effects that the coronavirus pandemic might have on the development of new cancer treatments.

She said: “I had already lost both parents to breast and brain cancer when I was 16. My mum only lasted two years after being diagnosed. My whole world fell apart when I was diagnosed, and I realised it was time to try and change the story and not let what happened to me happen to my children.

“I'm honoured and privileged to be on a trial, but if they don't have the money then they can't do the research. Cancer has tried to take everything from me, but it can have my hair, my eyebrows, my tears and my boobs.

"It can't have my smile, humour and my love for life. I want to change the story to the happy ending. So please if you can get involved then please do. It's time to change the story.”

Falmouth Packet:

Chantelle is on an Immunotherapy clinical trial. These studies are improving outcomes for people with cancer by testing new treatments, but they wouldn’t be possible without funding from public support and money raised through fundraising.

Chantelle, who works as a hairdresser, but has shut up her business for now, added: “Charities like Cancer Research UK, and the research that they fund, will be hit hard by the current situation and it upsets me to think about what this might mean for people affected by cancer in the years to come.

“We can all play a part, no matter how big or small, in helping to lessen the impact - so I’m proud of the way Archie and Autumn have embraced the fundraising challenge and I hope others will do what they can.

“Plus, with all the extra time we’re spending indoors, the house is extra messy so I’m grateful for the help!”

From virtual quizzes and live-streaming music nights to sponsored haircuts or head shaves, Cancer Research UK has a host of ideas to inspire people to fundraise at home or they can simply organise their own activities.

Thanks to the generosity of its supporters, the charity was able to spend more than £2 million in the south west last year on some of the UK’s leading scientific and clinical research.

Alison Birkett, Cancer Research UK spokesperson for Cornwall, said: “We are grateful to the Ward family for their dedication to the cause. Our supporters are completely redefining the meaning of ‘charity begins at home’. We have been humbled by how they are determined to carry on their fundraising efforts in all sorts of inventive new ways."

Cancer Research UK expects to see its fundraising income decline by up to 25 per cent in the next financial year, as a direct result of the coronavirus pandemic.

To get involved visit cruk.org/fundraise