In the past 12-months the local community have run, baked, climbed, cycled, led auctions, sold ice lollies, hosted beer and music festivals, staged performances and so much more to help raise over £200,000 for The Hummingbird Centre, the brilliant Launton-based charity that supports people with cancer and their families across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire.
More than 4,000 people used the centre’s services this year, a 50% increase on the previous year, with around 200 people a week now seeking support. The charity says every pound raised goes straight back into services so that as much help as possible can be offered free at the point of need.
Mechelle Harris, Founder:
“I want to personally thank everyone who has supported The Hummingbird Centre over the past year. Their efforts have been amazing and we really are in awe of each and every one of them. We know the last few years have been particularly difficult financially for many people, and we are so grateful to everyone who have dug deep and continued to support us. Each year we have to raise at least £170,000 in order to provide these vital services, the effort people go to makes us feel we are at the heart of our community and we aim to continue to serve that community for as long as we are needed.”
Zoe Draper, Centre Manager:
We have so many wonderful volunteers and professionals who give their time week in week out to make the Hummingbird Centre the special place it is. I really want to thank each and every one of them for their time, support and friendship this past year.”
What the centre provides
- Counselling and a children’s service
- Complementary therapies and wellbeing workshops
- Ongoing support groups and weekly activities
- A specialist Lymphoedema Clinic
A highlight this year was launching a men’s support group in September. The group meets on the first Monday of each month and is “going from strength to strength”.
Zoe Draper added:
“It has been an ambition of the charity to set up a men’s group aimed at offering support to men impacted by cancer and getting them talking. We know traditionally men don’t talk – but seeing this group develop from that first meeting in September to what it is now, has been wonderful.”
Looking ahead to 2026
As demand rises, the charity is exploring options for a permanent, larger home.
Mechelle Harris:
It’s the people who support us that enable us to continue to offer our services to people on their cancer journey. We would love to hear from companies who are looking to nominate a charity next year and hope all those groups and individuals who do such amazing things to raise money for us will continue.
“For us, aside from fund raising, the big challenge is our premises, we have literally out-grown it and we would love to find a permanent home. I’ve got a renewed passion in my belly and looking for a permanent home is top of my agenda – watch this space.”
Seasonal opening
The Hummingbird Centre will be closed for Christmas from Wednesday 17 December and will reopen on Tuesday 6 January.
Get in touch / How to help
- Email: info@thehummingbirdcentre.org.uk
- Phone: 01869 244244
- Donate / fundraise / volunteer: thehummingbirdcentre.org.uk
About The Hummingbird Centre
Opened in 2014, the centre was founded by Mechelle Harris in memory of her father, Raymond Hurcombe, with a promise to create something good out of family loss. It now supports thousands of people each year and is funded 100% by donations and volunteers.
Opening hours: Tuesday–Friday, 10am–4pm. If you can get to the centre, you will be supported.
