Head and Neck Cancer Foundation holds charity ball to raise awareness

The Head and Neck Cancer Foundation (HNCF) is dedicated to driving awareness for the often debilitating cancer and the adoption of groundbreaking treatments.

Sir Frederick Hervey-Bathurst (Image: Head and Neck Cancer Foundation)

Chairman Sir Frederick Hervey-Bathurst said: "The charity means everything to me. It means people who suffer cancers, head and neck, don't have invasive, traumatic surgery - which is the norm.

"Professor Mark McGurk has pioneered a new technique that is less invasive and traumatic and enables people to recover far more quickly and live a normal life."

Aimed at funding new methods of treating head and neck cancers, that go beyond the current standard of surgical procedures, which can impact sight, hearing, taste and smell. The charity funds treatments provided by the NHS.

"I really hope people go away from the ball with awareness," Sir Frederick added.

"I really hope people go away and look at our website and how to check your mouth for cancer.

"I also hope we raise funds for the charity, which are put directly into training surgeons and techniques."

The evening of glitz and glam raised money for the charity through a raffle, a silent auction, and donations.

Michelle Vickers (Image: Head and Neck Cancer Foundation)

The charity's CEO Michelle Vickers, who helps run HNCF from her home in Maidenhead, said: "This is about fun, we are here for a particularly horrible type of cancer.

"I didn't particularly want this evening to be about the what, but about what we are doing. 

"We are really going to try and celebrate our survivors."

A short video and speech were given to those in attendance discussing the charity's role in the development of new head and neck cancer treatments.

To learn more about HNCF and how to check your mouth for cancer, visit hncf.org.uk.