Fun for a serious cause on the menu at Dudley pub event

Regulars of the White Swan Pub in Holland Street and friends of Leanne Mason are trying to raise money for her sister Laurie Byng who has been diagnosed with lung cancer at the age of just 34.

She is trying to raise money for immunotherapy which the NHS may cease to offer in six months time.

Cartoon characters like SpongeBob SquarePants will make an appearance on the day and online influencers will be present along with a display of classic cars, with music featuring heavily and a barbeque as well.

Balraj Singh, who took over the pub in November and who knows Leanne and Laurie said the day would boost a gofundme campaign to help provide  the treatment which has already raised over £3,100 for the cause.

He said: "It will be a fun day with aim of raising money and boosting the money already collected. It has been a tough time for Laurie and the family, including of course her son who is just 14 and Leanne, who was behind the gofundme page.

"We are a community pub and will try to do all we can to help the regulars and friends when they are in need so I would encourage everyone to come out and enjoy the day."

Laurie said: " Thankfully this treatment has shrunk my cancer previously in my lung and kept everything at bay since, but in six months time unfortunately the NHS will not fund my Immunotherapy even though it's currently helping keep things at bay, all because of funding and licensing. 

£Immunotherapy alone is roughly £2,700 for each cycle but that doesn't include all the other fees like doctors an nurses time etc.

"I feel so low having to do this, honestly it's the worst thing In the world having to put pressure on others to try and help literally keep me alive my heart is torn.

"Sometimes I feel like giving up but then look at my boy's face and I just can't it's so hard. If I didn't have any kids or family I'd have gave up two years ago but I just can't stop trying it's so daunting the thought of leaving my son behind.

" I know times are so hard for everyone at the moment with the rising cost of living but this event on Saturday which has been kindly organised by Balraj and the staff shows how much people really care."

The event will run at The Desi White Swan, Holland Street, Dudley on Saturday from 12 noon with free entry.