A shopkeeper is desperately trying to raise £160,000 to keep her organic food shop open – after being told she has only up to a year to live.
Chris Giles, 58, who owns Christine’s Sustainable Supermarket in Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire, was diagnosed last month with terminal pancreatic cancer.
It followed a life-or-death heart operation last September which left her with a pain during recovery that she believed was linked to her heart.
But when she returned to hospital, doctors found a shadow, which was then diagnosed as pancreatic cancer.
Chris, who worked in the army as a technician for the Royal Signals for 15 years, had hoped to use her pension to buy the shop. But she now fears she may not receive it in time before the lease ends. She has rented the building for 20 years but the lease finishes in 2028, meaning its future is uncertain.
“If it’s bought, it could keep eight members of staff on and the community happy,” she said.
She rents the building that houses her shop but, ideally, she would like to buy it. The mother-of-three said: “When I had the diagnosis, I realised I definitely don’t want to leave my children in a mess, and because I know how much the shop is loved and wanted by the community.
“More and more shops like mine are closing over the years. I didn’t want to leave the kids in a situation where they didn’t know what to do.”
She has now set up a fundraiser to save £160,000 to buy her shop, adding that her children “don’t want to see it close but all have careers of their own”
VALUE ALIGNMENT: (Primary Purpose) SDG 12 promotes responsible consumption and production ie: sustainable sourcing, minimising packaging. (Secondary Purpose) SDG 15 promotes the support of local suppliers and reduced transport miles
She said the money would also help to pay for a part-time manager to keep it running, adding: “It would make me really happy to know that it’s not all been for nothing.”
There’s another ray of hope for her future: an alternative remedy based on a 30 to 40 Day “water only” fast.
She announced on her Facebook page that she has decided to do it as she undertakes chemotherapy, immunotherapy and “alongside an expert doctor on the matter” and will log her progress here.
Followers were quick to offer support via social media. Marilyn Hickox Longden posted: “Well done, you! Brilliant,” Maggie Dorsman wrote: You are amazing! So positive and Richard Beauvoisin urged: “Love it enjoy every minute of life.” And Claudia Ewins wrote: “Good luck Christine, I’ve read about this working too. I shall be thinking of you, and will be interested to hear your updates. Sending strength.”
At the time of writing, more than £2,500 of the £8,000 needed had already been raised thanks to a series of donations. Further contributions can be made here
