A cancer survivor and passionate fundraiser have been recognised for their support of the charity Macmillan.

Victor de Giorgio, from Brighton, who volunteers at the Macmillan Horizon Centre and in the haematology ward at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, is a finalist in the With Heart category of the Macmillan Cancer Support Volunteer Awards.

Geoff Stonebanks, from Seaford, who is a prolific fundraiser for Macmillan, is a finalist in the Outstanding Supporter” category.

Victor received cancer support from Macmillan after he was diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2016. He described that support as “second-to-none” and wanted to make sure other people with cancer could experience it too.

So, in 2021, he joined the Macmillan Horizon Centre in Brighton as an information and support volunteer, and quickly became an indispensable and uplifting part of their service.

“When I talk to people with cancer, I remember the anxiety that I experienced during my own cancer journey, and I know how they are feeling,” he said.

“I got the support I needed, and I want to pass that on to others.


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“Sometimes I’m just there to listen but other times I can help people access specific things such as the wig and hair loss appointments, benefits advice or free complementary therapies available at the centre.”

Geoff has used his passion for gardening and his planning and organisational skills to raise over £110,000 for the Macmillan Horizon Centre over the last twelve years. He started fundraising for Macmillan by opening his multi-award-winning garden in Bishopstone to the public and went on to set up the annual Macmillan Coastal Garden Trail running from Seaford to Brighton.

As well as inspiring countless other local gardeners to open up their own plots for Macmillan, Geoff also secured the support of TV gardener Christine Walkden as the trail’s patron. Geoff bakes his own cakes to sell at his open garden events and has so far served 9,000 portions and brewed more than 12,000 cups of tea. Geoff was also named a Coronation Champion in April this year for his services to volunteering.

“Over the years, so many garden visitors have told me how they or their families have benefitted from the Horizon Centre, and that’s a big driver for me to keep fundraising,” he said.