Latest news with #DoItForStu
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Campaign to host second digital takeover in support of Colchester man with cancer
A CAMPAIGN is asking Colchester's community to turn their screens black tomorrow night in support of a man battling cancer. Stuart Smith, nicknamed Stu, was first diagnosed with melanoma six years ago. The 40-year-old accountant lives in Stanway with his wife, Lauren - who, together, have been on a gruelling journey of failed treatments and surgeries. The pair, along with countless supporters and campaign #DoItForStu, are on a mission to raise £167,000. Fighter - Stuart Smith is battling stage 4 cancer (Image: #DoItForStu) The funds will be spent on a potentially life-saving treatment in Israel - which is Stu's last chance to beat his stage four cancer. The fundraising figure now stands at £107,976, including an anonymous donation of £20,000. Tomorrow night at 8pm #DoItForStu will host its second digital takeover and is asking Colchester's community to join in on the social media blackout. The online event reached over 60,000 people within 24 hours last month, and campaigners are hoping to see the same level of support tomorrow. A spokesman for #DoItForStu said: "The impact was huge and since then, this movement has grown faster than we ever imagined. "Now we are SO close to Stu's target and this is the moment to come together again and push harder than ever. "I'm asking EVERY single one of you to unite once more and flood Facebook with Stu's story. "We need to tip this movement over the line and we need to do it now because Stu doesn't have time on his side. "This is a united movement - one last big blackout, one last big push, one chance to save a life. "Please stand with us tomorrow - together, we are unstoppable." United - The digital takeover will begin at 8pm tomorrow night (Image: #DoItForStu) The digital blackout will see Stu's friends, family members and supporters posting the #DoItForStu blackout image, as well as changing their profile pictures and flooding their feeds with the viral hashtag. For more information, visit and
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Colchester pub to host 90s & 00s themed charity auction in support of man with cancer
A HUGE fundraising drive to help a Colchester man battling a rare stage 4 cancer has hit its halfway point. Stuart 'Stu' Smith, 40, an accountant, was first diagnosed with melanoma in 2019 after discovering a lump in his neck. Since then, he and his wife Lauren, from Stanway, have been through a devastating journey of surgeries, failed treatments, and relentless setbacks. After exhausting all available options in the UK, Stu and his wife Lauren are trying to raise £167,000 for a potentially life-saving treatment in Israel. Alongside the couple, countless supporters have been hosting events and activities in a community effort to reach the target - including viral campaign, #DoItForStu. So far more than £85,000 of the target has been raised. Support - Stuart Smith is battling stage four cancer (Image: Submitted)Last weekend, the campaign held a drag karaoke and bingo night at the Curve bar, with more than 125 people attending and £5,000 raised. Tonight the Lexden Crown, in Lexden Road, will sponsor #DoItForStu, donating its entire restaurant and bar area to a fundraising event. The evening begins at 7pm and will offer a '90s and '00s themed event, featuring a charity auction with a number of luxury prizes up for grabs. Stu's close friends, Daniel Beacham and Ashlea Cuthbertson will host the event. The pair said: "We are now at a crucial point in Stu's journey. Drag night - Colchester drag queen and singer, Melode Muse supported Stu at last week's drag event (Image: #DoItForStu) "We have come a long way since we first came together to support our friend. "We are halfway to reaching the fundraising goal, but time is not on his side and we need your help to push forward again. "We would love for you to join us at this event - where every ticket, every bid, and every donation brings us closer to saving Stu's life. "Your support means more than you can imagine - please be part of this journey, and let's make a difference together. "Every moment counts, every contribution matters - let's show Stu he's not alone in this fight." Friends - Daniel Beacham and Ashlea Cuthbertson will host the auction night (Image: #DoItForStu) In the charity auction, attendees will have the opportunity to bid on a private box at Colchester United - worth £950 - for up to ten people, as well as a signed Arsenal top. Campaigners at #DoItForStu are encouraging members of Colchester's community to host their own fundraising events, like bake sales, in support of Stu. For more information, visit and
