Adele Roberts has said it is a ‘privilege to be part’ of the National Lottery’s 30th Birthday celebrations supporting cancer charity Maggie’s.
The TV personality, 45, revealed she has been ‘moved’ while spending time with the cancer support charities chief executive of 28 years Dame Laura Lee.
Adele, who was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2021, has been a supporter of Maggie’s for several years, and met Laura to discuss the importance of Maggie’s centres across the UK, which have received more than £3 million in National Lottery funding.
Adele said: ‘As someone who has personally experienced the challenges of cancer and witnessed the incredible work of charities like Maggie’s, I am deeply honoured to support The National Lottery’s celebration of these extraordinary Community Game Changers.
‘It has been moving to spend time with Laura Lee and to witness the care and dedication that goes into her work.
Adele Roberts has said it is a ‘privilege to be part’ of the National Lottery ‘s 30th Birthday celebrations supporting cancer charity Maggie’s
The TV personality, 45, revealed she has been ‘moved’ while spending time with the cancer support charities chief executive of 28 years Dame Laura Lee
‘Laura and the other Game Changers are truly inspiring, and it’s a privilege to be part of an initiative that shines a light on the positive change they bring to so many lives.
‘The National Lottery has played a vital role in making these stories possible, and I’m proud to help celebrate their 30th birthday in such a meaningful way.’
Maggie’s was the vision of Maggie Keswick Jencks, who had an idea for a different type of cancer care as she lived with advanced cancer for two years.
She died in 1995, but Laura, who was Maggie’s nurse and friend, worked with Maggie’s family to ensure her vision became a reality.
To mark the 30th anniversary of the first draw in 1994, The National Lottery is celebrating 30 inspirational people – Game Changers – who have achieved amazing things across the UK in the last 30 years, with the help of National Lottery funding.
28 Game Changers will be revealed in September and October at four installations which will focus on an area of National Lottery funding including, the arts & film, heritage, sport and community.
The final two Game Changers will be announced on The National Lottery’s New Year’s Eve Big Bash which will broadcast on ITV on December 31.
The National Lottery has been changing lives every day for the past 30 years, funding thousands of projects which help build resilient, inclusive and environmentally sustainable communities and create healthier and happier lives within a flourishing society.
Adele has been a supporter of Maggie’s for several years, and met Laura to discuss the importance of Maggie’s centres across the UK, which have received more than £3 million in National Lottery funding
Adele said: ‘It has been moving to spend time with Laura Lee and to witness the care and dedication that goes into her work. Laura and the other Game Changers are truly inspiring, and it’s a privilege to be part of an initiative’
Adele was first diagnosed with bowel cancer in October 2021 and documented her treatment on social media, which included colostomy surgery to remove a bowel tumour and having a stoma bag fitted
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David Knott, chief executive officer at The National Lottery Community Fund, added: ‘Celebrating The National Lottery’s 30th birthday is a momentous occasion, and there’s no better way to mark it than by honouring extraordinary people who have changed the game for their communities across the UK, thanks to three decades of support from National Lottery players.
‘At The National Lottery Community Fund, we believe everything starts with community. Every three minutes a community shares its dream with us, and every eight minutes, we award a grant to help make those dreams a reality.
‘So, we are thrilled to showcase these powerful stories and hope this incredible installation will inspire even more people to see the difference National Lottery funding could make in their own communities.’
Adele was first diagnosed with bowel cancer in October 2021 and documented her treatment on social media, which included colostomy surgery to remove a bowel tumour and having a stoma bag fitted.
Nine months after being diagnosed, and after receiving chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment, Adele was declared cancer free, and now lives with a stoma bag, which she has named Audrey.
When she received her diagnosis, Adele learned the tumour had been growing for a decade. Her symptoms included a bloated tummy, lack of appetite and lethargy.
Adele competed on Dancing On Ice 18 months after completing stage two chemotherapy, something she says was pureply about providing visibility for people with stomas.
She said: ‘I wouldn’t have done Dancing On Ice without a stoma. I’m not a dancer. I’m not a performer. I don’t do make-up and pretty things.
‘To have an ostomy, show what’s possible, help kids, open the conversation, lessen the stigma.’
Adele competed on Dancing On Ice 18 months after completing stage two chemotherapy, something she says was pureply about providing visibility for people with stomas
It comes after Adele admitted that her cancer diagnosis and having a stoma fitted has helped her have a better relationship with her body
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It comes after Adele admitted that her cancer diagnosis and having a stoma fitted has helped her have a better relationship with her body.
She said: ‘Most of my life I didn’t cry. I remember Kate saying when I had my tumor removed “That the light was back in my eyes”.
‘And I really believe that tumor being taken away took away so much negativity and so much self hatred and I’m so glad that piece of me is gone now because now I’m allowing myself to be the person I should have always been.
‘And crying is part of that, it’s not a weakness it’s a strength. I wouldn’t wish cancer on anyone but it’s given me that [strength].
‘I’m not only grateful for having a stoma to save my life but also it helped me have a better relationship with my body.’
She added: ‘I just didn’t like myself when I was younger and having a stoma it meant I could look at it like the most amazing thing I had which kept me alive. The moment I got it I was like I’ve been foolish for so many years.
‘When I first saw my stoma it was almost like I could see myself for the first time in my life. It was emotional and I thought I’m complete.
‘It’ll be the loss of my stoma when it goes back to the way it was. My scare will be a reminder of what has happened and where I’ve come.’