Dame Deborah James has said she is ‘overwhelmed’ after her campaign for fashion brand In The Style has raised £1million for charity – as the much-loved activist continues to receive end-of-life care for bowel cancer.
The former deputy headteacher turned bowel cancer campaigner, 40, says the fashion brand’s ‘Rebellious Hope’ t-shirt, which she helped to design, ‘is what has got me through the last few years and it’s what is keeping me going now’.
All proceeds from sales of the t-shirt go to the BowelBabe Fund, which has raised more than £6.7m so far.
She posted a photo on Instagram today and said, “WOW! One MILLION Pounds. I am honestly so overwhelmed we, through In The Style raised over £1,000,000 for Cancer Research UK.’
She continued: ‘”Rebellious Hope” is what has got me through the last few years and it’s what is keeping me going now!
This picture of Dame Deborah James posing alongside In The Style founder Adam Frisby (and his partner Jamie Corbett) was posted on Instagram by Deborah James
Dame Deborah James, 40, pictured in In The Style’s ‘Rebellious Hope’ t-shirt, which she helped to design’ and has raised £1million through
In hospice care, she is currently receiving palliative nursing at her home in Woking.
“Seeing your support, messages and tags has been amazing and I’m so thankful that we were able to work together. Thank you all.’
The photo featured Dame Deborah holding a cheque along with In The Style founder Adam Frisby (with Jamie Corbett)
She said she that, when the t-shirt launched, she and the brand spoke of ‘how incredible £50,000 would be’, adding that the £1m is ‘just so incredible’.
This is what Dame Deborah did after reflecting on Alistair’s loving support as she and her family prepared for the heartbreaking Father’s Day.
She stated that she looks forward to the occasion with Seb and her children Hugo (14 years old) and Eloise (12 years). Heather, her mother, also said they are looking forward.
She is now receiving hospice care in Woking at the home of her parents, Surrey.
She said: ‘I’ve not always been a big one for telling Dad how much I love him, so take it from me, just say it. It’s possible that it will be your last chance.
‘It’s too hard to think about, the idea I won’t see my son as a father.’
Deborah revealed that her husband Seb was an “incredible” father to their children.
Her brother Ben proposed and Ashley was overjoyed.
Prince William met Deborah James last month to give her the Damehood in recognition of her tireless fundraising and campaigning for cancer research.
She added: ‘For me, this year it’s about my dad and Seb, but it’s also about the men in my life who will hopefully one day be fathers too, my son and brother.’
Yesterday, Dame Deborah said she was only given a few days to live and that Royal Ascot was an ‘important milestone’ which proves she isn’t yet dead.
Following her announcement last month, that she was no longer being treated for cancer, she made sure to make the most of the remaining time.
In that time, she has been on a number of outings, including watching opera at Glyndebourne, enjoying a trip after hours to the Chelsea Flower Show and lunch at the £700-a-night Beaverbrook estate in Leatherhead, Surrey.