Wolo Foundation

Helping families affected by cancer in Sussex

Elekta are an amazing company, who work hard to offer

July 28, 2023  /  Justin Wright

‘hope to everyone dealing with cancer.’

It was a privilege for a few of us to be invited along to their amazing modern office, and be shown the radiation therapy products.

They are the leading innovator of radiation therapy products which target the tumour and protect the patient.

We had a tour of the factory and even got to see some of the radiotherapy machines being built. As a leading innovator of precision radiation therapy solutions, Elekta is committed to ensuring that every patient has access to the best cancer care possible.

We have been invited back to give a talk about our own cancer experience and the work that WOLO Foundation do.

We would like to say a huge thank you to Tim, Dee and Jenfor their time and showing us around, it was a really fascinating day and we definitely learnt a lot!

#wolo #weonlyliveonce #cancer #sussexbusiness #localcommunity #inspire #learningeveryday

Your support means over the last few months we have been able to….

July 28, 2023  /  Justin Wright


  • Distribute over £10,000 of supermarket vouchers during the cost of living crisis thanks to @sussexgiving and @eastsussexcountycouncil

  • Clean the homes of 3 families in Sussex to enable parents to spend more time with their children who have cancer

  • Held our very first wellness programme for 10 different families - giving them the tools they need to release trauma, increase their support network, work own themselves and begin to move on with their lives.

  • Begun to work on our own wellness retreat to enable families to access wellbeing activities such as ice baths and saunas on demand.

  • Organised a ‘high tea without the c’ for the adults in the wolo community to help link with others going through a similar experience

  • Organised a go karting family event for 50 people - at the request of the families with older children - to help them have fun together, make memories and engage with others of a similar age on their cancer journeys.

  • Paid for private chiropractor sessions to help with ongoing pain and movement issues

  • Purchased a super duper trolley, to enable a family to go out all together and make memories

  • Regular yoga, sea swims, saunas and bike hire helping people to refocus, restore and renew.

  • Paid for private lymphatic drainage to help reduce swelling and increase mobility

  • Paid for 4 private thermal imaging scans to relieve anxiety and arm patients with the information they need to get treatment

  • Cleaned the home of 2 other families whilst they are on active treatment so they don’t need to struggle whilst feeling the side effects

  • Paid for private counselling, hypnotherapy and psychotherapy for families who need it quickly - current waiting times with Macmillan are 6m+

  • Helped to pay for an electric wheelchair to enable a disabled lady who lost her husband suddenly to cancer to get out and about with her daughter.

  • Collaborated with another charity to buy a Guinea pig run and cage for the birthday of a 12 year old with cancer.

  • Given essential emotional support and friendship to 3 families who have been told their cancer has returned and they now need to live with it for the rest of their lives

  • Welcomed 23 new families into the wolo communit

  • Helped to put up a shed to create a crafting room for a child with cancer who finds calm in doing arts and crafts.

  • Sent 2 families on a retreat in the woods for some R&R and the chance to spend time with another family going through a similar experience

  • Bought in over £30,000 in grants to help pay for the important work we do.

  • Hired Hailsham leisure centre so families could have fun using all of the facilities for free (bowling/swimming/soft play/bike rides) and make new connections

  • Family gym membership for a family who want to get fitter together after a devastating diagnosis

  • Began a collaboration with another charity strong men - helping to support bereaved men across the country

  • Linked up with firefly initiative to help give the parents and children we support the tools they need to talk about cancer openly and honestly - it’s something many of our families struggle with the most.

  • Begun the preparation for WoloFest

  • We won Sussex community business of the year!

We couldn’t have done this without you - thank you so much for enabling us to support families and improve their quality of life on their cancer journey.

If you’re up for a challenge, we have a fire walk on 21st October - it’s a great way to test your metal strength and resilience- and could raise a bit of money for us too https://wolofoundation.org/wol.../wolo-empower-firewalk-2023

Thank you for supporting our work

improving people’s lives through nature, improving nature through people.

July 28, 2023  /  Justin Wright

We had such a chilled and fun time being in nature, playing games, having a wonder though the woods, the views on top of the hill was just breathtaking, learned about the mining fields and some ancient traditions which was fascinating,

You don’t have to be a kid to run around in nature, fun is for us all, it even improves our health, winner!!!

The Wellderness, improving people’s lives through nature, improving nature through people.

#wolo #weonlyliveonce #cancer #sussex #lifeisforliving #natureheals

Credit to @Kat Naish Photography

WOLO Foundation won the Community Champion Award of the year

July 28, 2023  /  Justin Wright

Here’s a the official pics from the awards a few weeks ago. We were blown away that WOLO Foundation won the Community Champion Award of the year at the Sussex Chamber of Commerce business awards! We are officially the Sussex Communtiy Business of the year!

Thank you to everyone that has helped us to get where we are today, by volunteering their time, donating, joining the Wolo 100 Club, jumping out of a plane (or equivalent!) and supporting us.

Wolo 100 Club

https://wolofoundation.org/wolo-100-club

We have created a wonderful community that continues to thrive thanks to you, and families all over Sussex now feel more supported than ever on the cancer journeys.

Ben FogleBen did such an inspiring talk - he’s living his life to the Wolo Foundation ethos through and through. Inspirational.

www.wolofoundation.org

#wolo #weonlyliveonce #businessawards #sussexbusiness #charity #community

Here at WOLO we think it’s so important to collaborate with other charities.

July 28, 2023  /  Justin Wright

Here at WOLO we think it’s so important to collaborate with other charities. We have been lucky enough to team up with StrongMen, who offer bereavement support for men. Their aim is to support men following bereavement. Grief can cause severe emotional and physical health conditions which are often overlooked and even ignored, especially in men.

It is with personal experience in there issues that the team behind StrongMen has created incredible services to help men going through the toughest of times. We are looking forward to working together with this incredible charity. Find out more about them at https://www.strongmen.org.uk

Justin was fortunate enough to go on a weekender retreat with Strongmen over the weekend, and met with 22 other men who have sadly lost loved ones. They all conquered Snowdon together and had a fantastic time in the great outdoors.

We are now able to refer families for further specialised support if you need it, please contact us to arrange this contact@wolofoundation.org

My kind of heroes!

July 28, 2023  /  Justin Wright

Team Wolo became United for the day at the Brighton & Hove Albion FC tournament and had a day to remember. No matter what life throws at us we all must help one another even on the pitch. You all did WOLO Foundation proud!

#wolo #weonlyliveonce #cancer #teamwork #makingmemories #standtogether #nevergiveup #livinglife

Our WOLO Wellness programme uses exercise as a tool to improve the way we think and feel.

July 28, 2023  /  Justin Wright

Our WOLO Wellness programme uses exercise as a tool to improve the way we think and feel. Exercise can return focus, release stress and improve your wellbeing. It’s especially important for those living with cancer and beyond to maintain a good level of overall fitness.

Being physically active has so many benefits for the body and mind. Regular exercise can even help to prevent cancer and lesson side effects of treatment; by reducing inflammation, keeping weight under control and boosting the immune system.

We know that everyone is different in terms of how much exercise they can do, which is why everything we do is tailored for all abilities.

Research has found that being physically active can help to reduce certain types of cancer, like breast, bowel and womb. Exercise can also help with weight, and research has found that obesity can lead to a higher risk of 13 different types of cancer to read more https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/.../exercise-guidelines

We have a Wolo Wellness Running Group, with our fantastic running coach Darren Evans. Darren is a UK athletics level 2 endurance running coach and Wolo ambassador. It’s not just for runners, all abilities are welcome - anyone who wants to enjoy some fresh air, movement and meet some like-minded people. It’s fun, friendly and challenging - a great start to the day!

“Running has acted as a distraction for my partner and kept him engaged with normal life since my cancer as it massively affected him too. He also wanted to remain strong for the kids – happily, all the kids now cycle with him while he runs, so it’s something we can do together.” If you want to join us please contact darren@wolofoundation.org

We collaborate with Cuckmere Cycle Co. That help us with bikes/e-bikes for Wolo Wellness Cycling groups, who meet fortnightly and cycle around the forest. For those who need an extra boost we can hire e-bikes, which are easier to ride but also have very similar benefits to a normal bike - you still need to pedal but it’s much easier to get up those hills! In fact, cycling has so many benefits, being a lower impact exercise and it’s also great for your mental health. We aim inspire to help people affected by cancer to connect with others, feel welcome and stay active.

“It was the first time I had used an e-bike and was so much fun! I forgot all about my worries and had a great time. If it wasn’t for Wolo I never would have gone, so thank you much! I can’t wait for next time!”

Here at Wolo we are embarking on a mission to inspire people/families to live their lives to the full and help savour every moment.

If you want to come and join us on the bikes please contact justin@wolofoundation.org

Without you we wouldn’t be able to grow and help so many families. So from all of us at Wolo and all of the families we have helped and continue to help everyday - thank you! #weonlyliveonce

www.wolofoundation.org

We only live once - WOLO! #weonlyliveonce #WOLO #cancer #sevensisters #fristonforest #natureheals #rideinstyle #sussexcharity #helpingthecommunity #learnthroughexperience #livingyourbestlife #inspire #motivation #mentalfitness #ridewithus #running #runtogether

Congratulations to everyone who took part in the Rathfinny Run 2023

July 28, 2023  /  Justin Wright

Congratulations to everyone who took part in the Rathfinny Run - especially in the weather conditions on the day! The course is extremely challenging but has plenty of beautiful scenery to keep you running!

Thank you as well to all the supporters who came to cheer everyone on in the awful weather! Also, a massive shout out to Darren Evans 3WordRuns@Rathfinny for organising such a fantastic event, and to Rathfinny Estate for hosting.

A special thank you also to all the WOLO Runners - you should feel so proud of yourselves for completing such a tough course and raising awareness and much needed funds for Wolo. Together you all helped to raise an incredible £3,285.00.

Without you we wouldn’t be able to grow and help so many families in Sussex. So from all of us at Wolo and all of the families we have helped and continue to help everyday - thank you! #weonlyliveonce

What is WOLO Foundation - https://youtu.be/rD-hkSqIsNM

WOLO Foundation helps to improve the quality of life of families living in Sussex affected by cancer. We now support over 108 families with 300 children. Wolo helps people who have been affected by cancer to make small actions which all add up to a large, measurable impact on their lives, and to build habits that will last a lifetime. Find out more about Wolo at www.wolofoundation.org.

NEXT WOLO CHALLENGE

Wolo Africa 100 - 2023 - 23rd Sept - 2nd Oct 2023

Run & Trek 100 miles in South Africa for our international charity fundraiser. A once in a life time experience that’s happening this September. Here's more details if you fancy joining Team Wolo in the wild African bush.

10 days, 100 miles , 1 purpose – to raise funds for WOLO Foundation, a charity that helps and supports families living in Sussex affected by cancer.

Embrace traditional Zulu communities, with lots of dancing, singing with the local people and learning about their culture. You will feel extremely welcomed throughout your 10 day journey.

This journey through the African bush, The Tugela River and rural Zulu communities gives you opportunity to run or trek 100 miles (averaging 16-18 miles a day) through areas with plenty of wildlife, wonderful scenery and friendly people. The terrain is varied, but is predominantly undulating game paths dotted with tall standing aloes and acacias. There will be an underlying ethos of nature conservation, with an exciting initiative planned for this year with the release of Zebras that you will also be part of.

The trip will also support the latest conservation effort by Wolo Africa 100 - 2023 led by Angus Wingfield from Africa Wild Trails - Ventures, Field Studies, Expeditions and round off with a Big Five Safari.

Find out more here (we only have 10 spaces remaining!)

https://wolofoundation.org/wolo-africa-100-2023

Life is precious, so let’s make the most of it.

We only live once! #WOLO

Huge hugs and thanks for your support!

Much love

Team Wolo

All the photos from Rathfinny Run are available here from the very talented Matt Bode.

#WOLO #weonlyliveonce #cancer #sussex #inspire #trekking #woloafrica100 #sussexcharity #woloafrica100 #charitychallenge #learnthroughexperience #sussexbusiness #livingyourbestlife #lovelife #natureheals #GreenRunners #carbonfootprint #helpingthecommunity #ukrunchat #rathfinnnyrun

Tea without the C

July 28, 2023  /  Justin Wright

‘Tea without the C’ made its come back in style last week, when we arranged ‘High Tea without the C’ for the adults of the families we support.

Thanks to the Harbour Hotel Brighton for accommodating us and putting on a lovely spread. It was a great opportunity for our families to meet others going through a similar situation to them. Friendships are continuing to bloom - and support networks are growing, helping to reduce the loneliness and isolation that comes with a cancer diagnosis.

Families fed back to us that it was sometimes difficult to talk to others at family events as the focus is on the children; so we listened, and delivered. Always striving our best to meet the needs of the families within our community. Thank you to everyone that donates to make events like this possible #wolo #weonlyliveonce #afternoontea #sussex #cancer #support #family

July 28, 2023  /  Justin Wright

Thank you to everyone who came to the Foundry Space Eastbourne on Tuesday evening to learn more about WOLO Foundation. It was great to hear more about the Wolo Africa 100 - 2023 fundraiser challenge that is happening later in the year from Angus Wingfield (limited spaces available). We were also lucky enough to welcome home the ocean_dadventure dads that rowed an epic 3000 miles across the Atlantic in the Talisker Whisky challenge.

#challenge #charity #charityfundrasing #adventure #inspire #cancer #mindsetmatters

Wolo went bigger and better, and the evening did not disappoint!

April 18, 2023  /  Justin Wright

Wolo Foundation held their second annual WoloBall at the Brighton Metropole on the 11th March, and what a night it was!Following the success of last years event, Wolo went bigger and better, and the evening did not disappoint! Celebrating Wolo’s third birthday, everyone had a fantastic time and helped to raise a massive £34,091 for Wolo Foundation.

Drinks were served on arrival, so people could mingle and catch up, followed by a delicious three course dinner, with the brilliant Sam Jones keeping the guests entertained with his amazing magic tricks at their dinner tables!  The night was packed with more amazing live entertainment, and Sam Jones also took centre stage and surprised co-founder Justin Wright with a ventriloquist act (with Justin as the puppet!), which went down a storm with the crowd - especially the children!  

A charity raffle and auction, with prizes including a signed England Rugby shirt, CarFest weekend tickets and a Spitfire flight across Beachy Head, was a massive success.  A signed England Football shirt was a surprise auction prize, donated at the last minute by Matt from OceanDad Ventures.  There was a lot of interest in this, and a bidding war ensued!

For the first time Wolo were able to invite along some of the families that they have helped through their cancer journeys, giving them a much deserved night out.  It really helped bring the Wolo community together, a child with cancer was able to attend (who had a great time!), as well as other families at different stages on their cancer journeys.  It was so lovely to see the families out having fun together, and making memories. 

A special video put together by some of the families Wolo have helped over the last 3 years was shown on the night.  It was so well received and really helped people to understand the reason they were there.  The video explained what Wolo do to help families - anything from driving lessons to therapy sessions, and helping the whole family through a cancer journey.  

Wolo co-founder Fler also came up with a powerful social experiment.  This started with just people who have been diagnosed with cancer standing up.  This ended up with everyone in the room standing up, united, as they had all been affected or know someone who has been affected by cancer in some way.  This was such a poignant moment, and really brought home the reason everyone was there, to help raise awareness and funds for Wolo, so they can continue with the fantastic work they have been doing.    Kevin Webber even wrote about this in the Sunday Mirror last weekend - wonderful!

Two of the brilliant Oceandad Venture crew (Matt and Neil) were also in attendance, after taking on the Talisker Whiskey Atlantic Challenge - the worlds toughest row!  They completed 3000 miles in an incredible 7 weeks across the Atlantic Ocean!  After battling stormy seas and 50 foot waves, Wolo are so proud of them all and extremely grateful to them for raising an incredible £42,487.00.  These funds will help Wolo so much, to carry on supporting families all across Sussex on their cancer journeys.

Face painting by Tick Boom face painting helped to add even more glitter and sparkles to the night, as well as an amazing photo booth so everyone could take home a picture momento of the night!  A fab live band finished off the evening, with everyone dancing the night away.  

Wolo also recruited members to their exclusive Wolo100 Club - aimed at CEO’s, with the intention of generating a regular income for Wolo.  The Club gives members the opportunity to meet 99 other like-minded people at exclusive events throughout the year, as well as a host of other benefits.  Once 100 spaces have gone, they’re gone! Make sure you don’t miss out, to read more or sign up please visit: 

https://wolofoundation.org/wolo-100-club

It was a great night, and Wolo would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who came, helped out, donated prizes and time, the families who came - we couldn’t have done it without you all!

To read more about the work Wolo do and the events they have coming up (including the fantastic Wolo Africa 100 trek challenge), please visit their website: 

www.wolofoundation.org

"The best night of his life" - Tris

December 16, 2022  /  Justin Wright

Wolo can't honestly thank everyone enough - to all the incredible award winning chefs who gave up their time to help young Tris in his own words on 'the best night of his life'. He had the most amazing night cooking with some very elite and kind chefs. After being diagnosed with leukaemia, Tris has used his love for cooking and food to empower his knowledge to navigate such challenging times. Thank you to all of the wonderful guests for making him and his family feel so welcome at the recent Table Talk Foundation event at Gravetye Manor.

WOLO Foundation helps families in Sussex affected by cancer. They aim to encourage and inspire lives, and to help in the most challenging times. The evening was exactly what Wolo stands for - making the most of each moment - thank you very much to everyone that made it happen! #weonlyliveonce

Sometimes in life we just need a little help from others. A massive shoutout to trustee Michelle Boshoff-Turner, Tyler, and Daniel Wade for making a huge impact.

#wolo #weonlyliveonce #cancersupport #sussexgiving #familyisthegreatestgift #sussexevent #sussexcharity #sussexdining #sussexwine #charitydinner #makingmemories #collaboration #inspire #thankyou #love #chefs

The day the Ocean Dadventure team has been waiting and preparing for is finally here!

December 13, 2022  /  Justin Wright

75 days to go until 43 teams start the 3,000 mile journey across the Atlantic in the The Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge 2022 #taliskerwhiskyatlanticchallenge

We will share regular updates on the progress of the fleet as well as share the incredible photos and videos they capture at sea!

About to embark on the adventure of our lives. With our loved ones in support, both here and around the world, it’s with a mass of emotions that we set off to take part in the #worldstoughestrow

Next stop Antigua Atlantic Campaigns WOLO Foundation

Only 3,000 miles to go! Remember, you can track all 43 of our teams across the Atlantic Ocean on the YB Races app. Search for ‘The Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge 2022’.

#twac2022 #taliskerwhiskyatlanticchallenge #prostatecanceruk

#wolofoundation #atlanticocean #oceanrowing #menwearewithyou #cancercharity #challenge

Wolo Winter Ice Skate

December 06, 2022  /  Justin Wright

Such a fun family event last night bringing the Wolo community together at Lightning Fibre Eastbourne Ice Rink that we hired out. Great fun had by all, lots of laughs had, and memories made #wolomoments. Our cheeks hurt from laughing so much! It's always wonderful to get everyone together - to help relationships grow to reduce that feeling of isolation and loneliness a cancer journey can bring. We had a family there who were diagnosed just a few days ago - right through to families who have lost loved ones a few years ago. That's the great thing about Wolo - everyone is always a welcome part of the Wolo community and the support it provides. Events like this wouldn't be possible if it wasn't for your kind donations and support. Thank you from us all!

Can you spot the *new* limited edition red Christmas jumper - you can buy one here - https://wolofoundation.org/.../wolo-unisex-christmas-jumper

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