TV star Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen and his family are teaming up with Linc charity for a second year to raise over £20,000 to support blood cancer patients and their families across Gloucestershire by hosting the Cotswold Snowball.

The event, which anyone with a ticket can attend, will be hosted on November 29 at Ingleside House Hotel in Cirencester, and is announced in recognition of Blood Cancer Awareness Month, held every September to raise the profile of the disease.

Despite being the UK's third biggest cancer killer, with 40,000 people diagnosed every year and 250,000 people currently living with the disease, blood cancer doesn't get the attention of other forms of the disease.

For 27 years, Linc has helped tens of thousands of people with blood cancer across the region, providing financial help through its Linc Fund and psychological care through its award-winning clinical psychologist team, working in partnership with Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to improve patient wellbeing.

The charity also funds research nurses through its Linc Research programme, enabling NHS patients in the county to take part in pioneering clinical trials and benefit from treatments not previously available.

One of those patients benefiting from Linc's vital support is Cheltenham resident Tom Coote, who is celebrating five years in remission. Tom was diagnosed with blood cancer in 2020 when he was just 27, after waking up with significant bruising on his legs.

Tom said: "It looked like I had been in a car accident, and I knew something wasn't right. I went to the doctor urgently. That same day, I was diagnosed with Lymphoblastic Leukaemia and put into treatment right away, being told to head to Cheltenham Oncology immediately and to pack for at least six weeks.

"I had aggressive blood cancer with a specific chromosome that made it harder to cure using conventional chemotherapy. The only solution was to have a stem cell transplant as soon as possible - thankfully, my brother was a match, which helped save my life.

"Due to being in an intensive stage of treatment, I was unable to return to work until 18 months post-treatment and had spent a good chunk of our savings on just trying to get by. During that time, Linc supported me psychologically and financially, advising me on what benefits or grants I could apply for."

The Cotswold Snowball is aiming to raise more than £20,000 by teaming up with Linc's patrons, interior designer, Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen and his wife, Jackie, to host the event on November 29 at Ingleside House in Cirencester.

Guests will enjoy drinks on arrival, a three-course meal, a live band and a silent auction with exciting items and experiences. Bottles of Maximalist Gin, an ongoing collaboration between Linc, Gloucester Brewery and Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, will also be on sale, with £5 for every bottle sold donated to Linc.

Ball tickets are available to all, with several celebrity VIPs expected to attend, and all money raised from the event will go towards Linc's core services.

Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen said: "It is a tremendous honour to once again host the Cotswold Snowball in aid of Linc Charity.

"This wonderful evening is all about bringing people together through glamour, generosity and gin to make a real difference. Blood cancer is often an underestimated adversary, but the work that Linc carries out provides hope, comfort and essential support for patients and their families. By joining us at the Cotswold Snowball, guests are not only enjoying a memorable night, but also helping to fund the care and services that are so urgently needed."

Louise Neal, chief executive of Linc, said: "Everyone at Linc is so grateful that our patrons, Jackie and Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, are once again hosting the Cotswold Snowball in aid of our work. This much-loved event will be a wonderful evening of music, celebration and togetherness, while also raising vital funds for people in our community affected by blood cancer.

"As a charity, we rely entirely on voluntary donations and the money raised through our shops to fund our essential work. Every penny helps us provide crucial emotional and financial support to patients and their families and allows us to grow our services to meet the demand. We are constantly reminded of the difference this makes in people's lives, which is why it means so much to see our charity supported through such a special occasion."

The Cotswold Snowball will host 150 seats with tickets priced at £120 per person, as well as discounted tables for groups of 12 guests priced at £1,300. 

Tickets are available to buy here: https://linccharity.org/event/the-cotswold-snowball/. To register interest to sponsor elements of the event or to provide auction prizes, please contact louise.neal8@nhs.net.