Owner and Master Butcher Duncan Wills, and his wife Brenda, were forced to close Le Gourmet in September when Duncan was diagnosed with cancer.
While his treatment continues Le Gourmet will open one last time to hold a tabletop fundraiser in aid of Maggie’s, a cancer support
charity which has supported Duncan and Brenda during treatment.
Maggie’s has support centres across the United Kingdom including Cheltenham, where Duncan receives treatment, and is planning to open another in Cardiff. It provides not only staff offering support to patients, families and friends, but a place to have a break.
Mrs Wills said: “They have a centre behind the oncology department in Cheltenham. Duncan has found it incredibly helpful, there are people there to help you and provide any support you need and it is just a very peaceful place to go and get away.”
They are hoping that the fundraiser will tap into some of the unbelievable support they have received so far.
Mrs Wills said: “We have been overwhelmed by the support we received, we have had things left on our door including more than 200 cards.
“Everybody has been trying to do their little bit and it is just unbelievable the amount of genuine help people have given.”
The level of support has helped what has been an incredibly tough time for the Wills, who had to leave what had been their life for decades.
Mrs Wills said: “It all happened so quickly. Duncan had been running it for probably 40 years, he would be up at 5.30am, six days a week to open the store.
“When Duncan is good, he’s very good but when he is not it is tough,” Mrs Wills added.
“He also found it hard to say goodbye to the staff, some whom had been there for 20 years but they were incredible, they have done so much for us.”
The fundraiser will be the last time Le Gourmet is open before it is taken over by Neil Powell, Master Butchers, a changing of hands Mrs Wills said they were excited about despite the circumstances.
“We’re glad it will still be a butchers, Neil Powell’s have been very helpful to donate the shop for a day before they open. They have been so lovely to deal with, they said they were honoured to be taking it over and have always been checking in on how we are going.”
The tabletop fundraiser will be held this Saturday 2nd December from 9.30am at Le Gourmet in Church Street.
There will be a range of things on sale including kitchenware, glassware ceramics, as well as soft toys and more, it will provide the “perfect place to get a Christmas gift,” Mrs Wills said.