In The Fandom, we are not alone. We meet people from different countries, total strangers but we all share one love together: Take That. It’s the music that brings us together. But as a mom you can feel completely lost when your kid gets diagnosed with cancer.
I got tears in my eyes when I read Lara’s story. Lara is Italian and has been living in Switzerland for almost twenty years now, with her husband, two kids, a dog and a cat. She has been a Take That fan since the nineties, when she used to run a Take That fanclub, typing the newsletters with an old fashion typewriter. “Those were the days!” Oh, I feel you, girl!
Every year Lara organises a raffle to raise funds for Solving Kids Cancer UK. A charity that helps families affected by childhood cancer and supporting research. She knows the charity very well as she was directly impacted by childhood cancer when her son was diagnosed with a high risk form of Neuroblastoma in 2010, when he was only two years old.
“He is okay now and grown into a full grumpy teenager! But I’m really close to this cause and the challenges that children and families face at diagnosis and while going through treatment. I believe this raffle is a great wat of raising awareness and funds towards this important cause, while giving Take That fans the opportunity to win cool Mark Owen / Take That related prizes.”
She came to the idea while she was on holiday in 2019. “I only had four prizes on the list back then, but the response was overwhelming so I decided to improve it and run it again the year after… And every September since then!” It does take most of her evenings and weekends in the weeks prior to the launch and while the raffle is open. “But I do it with great pleasure because I know it’s all for a great cause.”
Every penny counts when it’s comes to helping families and supporting research. “Research is fundamental if we want to find better and less toxic cures for children and allow them to have a future.”
As we often stand aside helpless and with our backs against the wall when someone close to us gets affected by this horrible disease, helping to raise money and awareness is the least you can do. That is why I am honoured to donate a copy of my book ‘Luxury is a (Steefproof) choice’ as a prize for this year’s raffle.
“As the raffle has been running every September for the past six years, people now know it’s a regular initiative so there are people contacting me proactively wanting to offer a prize. I was also thrilled (and deeply grateful) to receive Mark’s support in 2020 with the donation of his oil painting and in 2023 with the green jumpsuit he wore at the Sandringham concert, supporting Robbie” Lara explains. But she also buys prizes herself, as she is always keeping an eye out for some interesting memorabilia.
Music is therapy
“Mark is the reason I became I Take That fan in the nineties, and continues to be the reason I’m still a fan today. Their music has simply been the soundtrack of my life since I was a teenager and particularly Mark’s solo music has accompanied me through the key moments of my life.”
I can only nod and agree. For some people it is unimaginable what music can mean to you and how it can help you through life. Meeting people who feel the same way about the same artist can instantly create a bond. But not only music helps:
“When my son was diagnosed with cancer, my whole world fell apart and despite the pour of love and support from my family and friends, I felt lost. Then I met a parent of a child in remission, someone who had gone through exactly my same nightmare a few years back, whose son was now starting again to live an almost normal life. Meeting this person gave me a glimpse of light and hope back, and I clung tightly on if for years. So my message for families going through the same ordeal is this: you are not alone, go and find that person that can show you that light and give you hope. It will help you go through this, one day at a time.”
Wow, Lara, I’m really impressed by all the work you do you for this good cause. Raising money and awareness is so important and the only thing we can do as bystanders. As this raffle is familiar within our Fandom, but maybe not outside, I’m proud to share it on my blog. Hopefully sending more donations from Europe. And if anyone doesn’t want their Take That related prize, I’d be happy to take it off their hands. Just kidding.
Thank you Lara, for taking the time for this interview.
“I just want to take the opportunity to thank everyone who has supported this cause and participated int he raffle over the years, including Mark. It means the absolute world to me to know that we can all come together and make a real difference for children with cancer and their families. Thank you.”
Now all go to https://www.justgiving.com/page/markowenlive-in-aid-of-solving-kids-cancer-2024 and donate!
