“You’ve done me proud,” says Naomi

A YOUNG mum from Sidmouth with incurable cancer says she’s been “overwhelmed” by the kindness of strangers in her home-town as she strives to help other sufferers.

Offers of support have flooded in for Naomi Thomas, 29, after the Herald revealed how, despite her illness, she has organised a fundraising event to boost a trio of causes.

Sidmothian Naomi battled breast cancer in 2009 and hoped she’d beaten the disease when she started a family. But, just days after the birth of son, Devon, she discovered the cancer had spread to her spine.

Scores of well-wishers, many of whom have suffered from cancer, have inundated the Herald with offers of raffle prizes and assistance for the ‘Pink Ladies Day’ Naomi has organised at Kennaway House on January 15. She told the town this week: “You’ve done me proud”.

“It’s very easy to get downbeat when you’re ill, have a chip on your shoulder and think the world is against you.

“The response I’ve had just shows me that we live in a more caring world, and town, than I think we ever give it credit for,” said Naomi, whose family home is in Manstone Avenue.

“I’ve been overwhelmed by the amount of letters, e-mails and calls I’ve received from the community.”

Naomi even got a touching letter of support from a Sidmouth College teacher she hadn’t seen since she left the school in 1998. She added: “In this present economic climate it’s very difficult for people to give their time, and for businesses to give things away, but Sidmouth and the surrounding areas have done me very proud. It has really spurred me on and I hope to make the event a really wonderful afternoon for all who attend.”

Proceeds of Naomi’s fundraiser will go to Force, CoppaFeel, and the Willow Foundation. Naomi wants her story to help raise cancer awareness, and hopes the event can take place every year

l IF you’d like to help Naomi with the Ladies Day, or to donate a raffle prize, contact the Herald on (01392) 888501, or e-mail stefan.gordon@archant.co.uk.