JACQUI DRAKE is more than half-way in her tireless quest to raise £1 million to support fellow cancer patients.
The former dance teacher and choreographer initially decided to raise funds for home comforts for patients who, like her, were having treatment at Leeds Cancer Centre. Now her Jacqui’s Million appeal has raised more than £500,000 for Leeds Hospital Charity.
Jacqui, 62, from Apperley Bridge, was diagnosed with melanoma in 1993 and had surgery to remove a mole on her lef. Sixteen years later, her skin cancer returned. After undergoing three operations, and having a lung removed, Jacqui threw herself into fundraising and over recent years she has organised a variety of fundraising events, as well as selling her Jacqui’s Million merchandise. The cash raised is used in various ways, from funding scalp coolers and drip stands to refurbishing the waiting room.
Now Jacqui’s Million has been chosen by a Bradford company as its charity of the year. Jacqui tells us more:
In January I had been for treatment at my favourite place, The Bexley, at Leeds Cancer Centre, having my ‘wonder drug’, which is immunotherapy every four weeks for my cancer. When I got home I made a cuppa then opened up my laptop to check my emails. I was totally blown away to receive an email from a local company who informed me that they had selected Jacqui’s Million as their chosen charity for 2026!
The company, Uniexpress Ltd, is based in Little Germany, but also has other branches in the UK. Imagine my surprise to be told that there were three other charities up for consideration, but all the staff voted and Jacqui’’s Million was the clear winner. Being Bradford born and bred, this means so much to me and all the cancer patients I try to help.
I was invited to Uniexpress to meet Michael Fitzpatrick CEO and Nikki Campbell, the Managing Director, and to speak to all the staff about my appeal to raise £1 million for the care of so many cancer patients.
Throughout this year the company as a team will do various fundraising events and challenges to support me in my goal, the first one being The Total Warrior (the 6k Great Northern Mud Run) on June 27, where Michael plus 10 other members of the company, will take on the gruelling challenge.
Michael said: “It was great to welcome Jacqui to Uniexpress and learn more about the incredible work she does through Jacqui’s Million. We’re proud to be supporting the charity this year, today’s visit gave our team a real sense of the impact her fundraising has for patients and families in our region. We’re looking forward to working together over the coming months.”
I can’t thank everyone enough at Uniexpress for their vote of confidence in Jacqui’s Million. They have set up a Just Giving page which links to Jacqui’s Million at: www.justgiving.com/page/uniexpress-jacquismillion
My page is www.justgiving.com/jacquismillion
* The Jacqui’s Million appeal through Leeds Hospitals Charity, with everyone’s support and continued generosity, now stands at £547,000. My target is to try to reach £600,000 by the end of 2026.
Our first event of 2026, Decade – relive the 80s, raised a staggering £3,022 in one night. Our next Jacqui’s Million event is Sadie Sings Swinging 60s on Saturday, April 18 at St James Community Centre, off Bolton Road, at 3pm.
If people love the 1960s they will love this charity afternoon event. The incredible voice of Sadie singing those songs we know so well – ‘twist and shout’ on the dance floor to songs from acts including Petula Clark, Dusty Springfield, The Beatles, The Ronettes, Helen Shapiro, Connie Francis, Buddy Holly and Chuck Berry.
The £12 tickets includes a glass of fizz or juice on arrival, hot drinks, homemade cakes and nibbles, and there’s a raffle and merchandise. Call 0333 6663366 or visit ticketsource.co.uk/…/2026…/15:00/t-jxklvze
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Later in the year I will be staging the musical Barnum at St James Community Church. There will be two performances, on November 28, and I’m hoping this will generate £9,000 for Jacqui’s Million.
I know how blessed I am to receive such incredible care and treatment and that is why Jacqui’s Million is so very important. We all know someone with cancer, we have all lost someone to cancer, and every two minutes someone is being diagnosed with this terrible disease. But there is so much that can be done, and there is hope. We must stay positive.
