Active against Cancer
Active against Cancer
It Helped Me Through Cancer” – Harrogate Woman Launches Silent Disco Fundraiser for Life-Changing Local Service
Imagine being told you have cancer.
Now imagine having access to a local service that helps you stay active, regain your strength and rebuild your confidence throughout treatment and recovery — completely free of charge.
That’s exactly what Active Against Cancer did for Harrogate resident Tracey Davison-Franks.
Now she’s inviting the community to help ensure others can benefit from the same support by joining her for a special fundraising event with a difference.
🎧 Dance Like Nobody’s Watching
The Along Came Polly Silent Disco and Charity Auction will take place at the Bilton Club in Harrogate on Friday, September 4, bringing together music lovers, friends, families and supporters for a night of fun and fundraising.
And yes, there will almost certainly be some enthusiastic off-key singing.
But that’s part of the charm.
The aim is simple: have a fantastic night out while helping local people affected by cancer.
💙 Why “Along Came Polly”?
For Tracey, this fundraiser is deeply personal.
During her cancer journey, Active Against Cancer helped her prepare for and recover from multiple surgeries, including an ileostomy procedure.
Her stoma became affectionately known as “Polly” — inspiring the name of the event.
She credits the service with helping her through one of the most challenging periods of her life and wants others facing a cancer diagnosis to have access to the same support.
“Active Against Cancer became a crucial part of my recovery and rehabilitation.”
It’s a story that will resonate with many local families who have experienced the impact cancer can have on everyday life.
🏃 What Is Active Against Cancer?
Many people across Harrogate have heard of the service.
Few realise just how unique it is.
Delivered by Harrogate & District NHS Foundation Trust, Active Against Cancer provides:
✅ Personalised exercise programmes
✅ Specialist fitness guidance
✅ Rehabilitation support before, during and after treatment
✅ Confidence-building classes and activities
✅ Ongoing support for people living with cancer
The service is widely admired and has become a model that other cancer services around the UK look to for inspiration.
As referrals continue to increase, fundraising has become increasingly important to help meet demand.
🎁 More Than 20 Auction Prizes Already Confirmed
Alongside the silent disco, guests will have the chance to bid on a growing list of auction prizes donated by local businesses and supporters.
More than 20 lots have already been secured, with organisers expecting even more to be added before the event.
It’s another opportunity to support a vital local cause while potentially picking up some fantastic prizes.
📍 Event Details at a Glance
Along Came Polly Silent Disco & Charity Auction
📅 Friday, September 4, 2026
🕢 7.30pm – 11pm
📍 Bilton Club, Bilton Lane, Harrogate
🎟️ £10 in advance
🎟️ £15 on the door
🌟 Why You Should Go
Whether you’ve been touched by cancer personally, know someone who has, or simply want to support a worthwhile local cause, this promises to be one of Harrogate’s most uplifting community events of the year.
You’ll be helping to fund a service that is changing lives across the district while enjoying:
- A unique silent disco experience
- A charity auction packed with prizes
- A great night out with friends
- The chance to support local cancer patients
- Plenty of laughter, dancing and community spirit
The Bigger Picture
Cancer affects thousands of families across North Yorkshire every year.
Services like Active Against Cancer help people not just survive treatment, but live well through it.
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Location: Active Against Cancer Hookstone Wood Road Harrogate HG2 8PN – Phone: 01423 557924
The evidence for the benefits of exercise in patients living with cancer is now well established. Despite this, access to exercise classes with specialist trainers remains highly limited at best, and is often totally unavailable.
‘With the creation of this unique service we hope to change this for patients living with cancer in the Harrogate District. Active Against Cancer was set up with founder funding from Yorkshire Cancer Research, who supported the service through the pilot phase. The service is delivered by Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust, where this new model puts exercise at the core of cancer care for all patients. – For more details and how to join go to https://www.activeagainstcancer.org.uk/
Active against Cancer
The evidence for the benefits of exercise in patients living with cancer is now well established. Despite this, access to exercise classes with specialist trainers remains highly limited at best, and is often totally unavailable.
‘With the creation of this unique service we hope to change this for patients living with cancer in the Harrogate District. Active Against Cancer was set up with founder funding from Yorkshire Cancer Research, who supported the service through the pilot phase. The service is delivered by Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust, where this new model puts exercise at the core of cancer care for all patients.
In addition to being a great place to exercise, we hope that Active Against Cancer also provides a great place for you to socialise! By taking part in any Active Against Cancer activity you are becoming part of our community and are welcome to make use of the many facilities on offer at Harrogate Sports and Fitness Centre (HSFC),
After being diagnosed with cancer in 2014 and undergoing surgery and chemotherapy, I was keen to try and rebuild my fitness. It was hard to know what exercise was appropriate whilst navigating the side affects of treatment, recovering from major abdominal surgery and having had a portacath fitted. Being able to remain active during treatment helped me retain some normality and provided a sense of achievement.Physical exercise has played such a big role for me in emotionally coping with treatment and adapting to living with cancer. My fitness is something over which I have control and maintaining a decent level of fitness can only be a good thing if I’m faced with further surgery or treatment for my cancer in the future.” Jo Beagley
