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Shirley Garman, a sure Swindon treasure and certainly worth a million
The Link writes about people we call a Swindon Treasure, those with inspirational stories who do so much for the town,
or should be remembered as outstanding individuals. Juliet Platt recalls a woman who inspired many others: the late Shirley Garman
March is the month of the Mad in Hospital, giving Hare. So far it has raised over £52,000
March Hare, a key event in the fund- parents support towards Shirley’s £1 million target
raising calendar of Breakthrough when their chil- for Breakthrough Wiltshire. The
Breast Cancer Wiltshire which was dren were unwell. following year she was named Break-
founded by Shirley. Later Shirley through Breast Cancer’s Inspirational
Shirley passed away in 2009, hav- worked for Age Woman of the Year , but was unable
ing finally lost her own fight with Concern and to collect the award herself as she was
breast cancer. She had been a life-long volunteered in a too unwell.
campaigner and set up the Wiltshire Samaritans char- Eunice, travelled to Tanzania in
Breakthrough group in 1995 with a ity shop. She also February to climb Mount Kiliman-
target of raising £1 million. helped to run a jaro. She said: “I’m still going for
Her friend and fellow fundraiser youth club for 11 Shirley’s million, and to do what we
Eunice Salmon said: “Shirley was a to 18 year olds. can to improve breast cancer treat-
very get-on-with-it person. She never Shirley was a ment at the Great Western Hospital.
let things get the better of her or bring 2008, Mad March Hare organisers lead member of The biopsy chair needs replacing and
her down. She even turned up to a had to delay the event for a month Campaign & Ad- the campaign continues to bring
fundraising breakfast on the very day after heavy rain. Shirley Garman is vocacy Network radiotherapy facilities to Swindon
of one of her own operations to beat pictured on the right and her friend and was invited to so that cancer patients can be spared
the disease, saying it would take her Eunice Salmon on the left The White House the gruelling trek backwards and
mind off it.” Shirley Garman, right in Washington to forwards to Oxford.”
The Wiltshire Breakthrough group Shirley’s earlier campaigning expe- meet Hilary Clinton who was very Shirley is without doubt one of
was unusual in that Shirley also of- rience was triggered by her son being involved in breast cancer and health Swindon’s treasures, and, as Eunice
fered emotional and practical support hospitalised with an ear problem in issues in the USA at the time. Reflect- put it so eloquently: “Shirley’s in-
to other sufferers. Commenting on 1981, at a time when mothers were ing on this honour Shirley’s husband spiration, legacy and smile will live
the personal cost Eunice said: “It unable to stay with their children in Ralph said: “This was most definitely on forever.”
must have been emotionally draining hospital. She and another mother a highlight for Shirley.” Up for a March outing? This year’s
but Shirley didn’t really care about were instrumental in setting up the In 2007 Shirley jointly set up the Mad March Hare takes place on Sun-
herself as long as she was helping Swindon branch of the National As- Mad March Hare run and walk in day 24 March. Find out more on page
other people.” sociation for the Welfare of Children memory of cancer sufferer Irene 31 or www.madmarchhare.org.uk

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10 swindonlink.com • March 2013

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