Grief can either break someone down or become a driving force for something greater. For Andy White, the loss of his beloved wife Vikki to lung cancer 14 months ago left him shattered. However, through his heartache, Andy found a way to transform his grief into action, determined to help others going through similar pain.
To Andy, Vikki wasn’t just his wife; she was his partner and confidante. Vikki’s life with lung cancer was difficult, but the two chose to face it together at home. Though they had support from family and friends, the intimacy of being in their own space meant the world to both.
Vikki passed away shortly after her diagnosis, leaving Andy heartbroken. He describes himself as “broken,” a man who lost the centre of his world. But through his grief, he also found a desire to help others.
The drive to give back
After Vikki’s passing, Andy felt a strong need to do something, to give back to those who were going through the same pain he had endured. He wanted to “give something back,” although at first, he wasn’t sure what that would look like.
That’s when Andy’s friends from Somers Sports and Social Club decided to step in and help him turn this vision into reality. They gathered together and brainstormed how best to support him in his fundraising efforts. The goal was to raise as much money as possible to aid families in need, while also honoring Vikki’s memory in a meaningful way.
The power of community
The fundraising process was far from easy, but it was a labour of love. With everyone pitching in, Andy and Somers Sports & Social Club managed to raise £1,130.93. It took a lot of planning, coordination, and hard work, but the generosity they encountered along the way was nothing short of inspiring.
The team took to the streets, quite literally, to collect donations from motorists.
“The idea of approaching drivers in their cars, especially in busy traffic, was daunting. We weren’t sure how people would react, or if they would be receptive to our cause.
But to our surprise, the experience turned out to be incredibly positive. People were far more generous and supportive than we had imagined. Cars stopped, drivers rolled down their windows, and before we knew it, donations were flowing in.
Some of the people who contributed were friends of Andy’s, who were on their way home when they spotted us collecting. That moment made it all feel so personal as if the entire community had come together to support not just a cause, but a man they knew and cared for.”
Helping others in need
The money raised by Andy and the Social Club will go toward helping families in need of vital support. Andy’s hope is that this initiative will provide some relief to families who, like him, are struggling to cope with the demands of caring for a loved one in their final days.
For Andy, this cause is deeply personal. He wants to offer the same kind of support he was fortunate enough to receive from friends, family, and the community. He knows firsthand how isolating and overwhelming it can be to lose someone you love, and if he can ease that pain for even one other person, he will have succeeded.
The depth of his grief is something only those who have experienced such a profound loss can truly understand. But through this fundraising effort, he has found a small way to heal. By channelling his pain into something positive, Andy is continuing the love and care that he and Vikki shared, giving back to others in a way that he hopes will make a lasting impact.
A huge thank you from the club
Anna, the Development Manager for Somers Sports & Social Club, had this to say about their fundraising:
“Andy and all of us involved in the fundraising efforts would like to express our heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed. Whether you donated, helped organise, or simply offered words of encouragement, your support means the world to Andy and to the families who will benefit from these funds”
In memory of Vikki, and in honour of the love they shared, Andy White’s mission to help others continues.