'I found it bewildering, immensely stressful and, frankly, ridiculous': Shropshire school mum calls for easier access to benefits for cancer patients

Bells Lewers, who was first diagnosed with bowel cancer two years ago, has so far attracted around 3,000 signatures to her petition to simplify and speed up the process.

The 56-year-old mum of two was turned down for assistance twice before going to tribunal and finally being awarded financial support after nine months - while undergoing chemotherapy and being diagnosed with cancer a second time in January 2024.

She said: “My cancer journey has not only been physically and mentally difficult, but extremely trying in an unexpected way.

“Part of being a cancer patient involves filling out a lot of forms and battling the benefits system.

“I had help and support from the amazing staff at Maggies, and I still found it all bewildering, immensely stressful and, frankly, ridiculous.

“Most people give up, go back to work too soon, or rely on family and friends. Many cancer sufferers simply can't access the help they need financially. They get into debt through circumstance. And the energy and emotion it takes to make it through the benefits process make recovery all the more difficult.

“I’ve been so touched - and also truly shocked - by the number of people who are already sharing with me their stories of similar experiences.

“The process takes too long and the amount of paperwork is extreme and misguided. The process is simply not fit for purpose. For many cancer patients, time is uncertain – it shouldn’t be swallowed up with benefits procedures.

“No cancer sufferer wants to be doing anything other than getting back to normal life. If you’ve done the right thing all your life, paying into the system, surely this is the moment you’d expect it to support you so you can get there?

“I just want to make sure that the benefits system works for cancer patients at the exact time it is needed. No one should have to borrow money, get into debt, go back to work before they are truly able to. How is it right that when you are fighting cancer, you are worrying about losing your home and paying for basic necessities?

“I am determined to effect change.”

Bells, from Chester, aims to go to the House of Commons with her petition this year and wants to get the 100,000 signatures needed by June to force a debate on the subject in parliament.

Bells has been supported by her two sons 20-year-old Kit and 18-year-old Jonty. 

She even managed to help organise a Gala Concert in March which raised £15,000 for Cancer Research UK.

It was held at her sons’ school, Ellesmere College in Shropshire, where her mother Claire Griffith was a former Custos of the College before she died from cancer in 2020 and Brendan Wignall, former headmaster of Ellesmere College for 27 years, was remembered as he lost his battle with cancer just seven weeks before the concert took place.

Bells added: “I want meaningful change to help cancer sufferers, their medical teams and maybe even save the government hours of unnecessary admin.

“I am aiming for policy change, so need to think big. One in two of us will be affected by cancer in our lives. This broken system isn't going to help everyone who needs it. So let's fix it now!”

Bells petition can be found at: petition.parliament.uk/petitions/701780

To donate to Bells Cancer Research UK giving page visit: fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/georgina-annabels-giving-page