Jaynie’s moving legacy can be shared by all

The late Jaynie Huxley, with a draft copy of the poetry book she never saw published

A POWERFUL poetry book penned by Greenfield woman Jaynie Huxley during her nine-year battle against cancer will go on general release at an afternoon tea launch tomorrow.

It was Jaynie’s dream to see her book, “Let The Swearing Begin — Expressions of a Nine-Year Cancer Journey,” on the bookshelves before she lost her hold on life.

But she died a few days before it was published, and it is her husband, Mark, who will be at the launch instead to see Jaynie’s dream come true.

Jaynie was just two days short of her 47th birthday when she died, eight weeks ago.

Her book is a collection of poems written during her struggle against the disease, which only made it into print under persuasion of a friend, Beverley Heap.

Beverley is a relentless fundraiser for Oldham Cancer Support Centre, and Jaynie agreed to make her private work public to raise money for the charity which gave her and her family a great deal of support during her final months.

Moved by her plight, Oldham’s businessmen and women threw more than £8,000 into the pot to pay for it to be published, and a few taster copies offered from the Oldham Evening Chronicle were snapped up almost immediately.

Beverley is now inviting anyone who wants to support Jaynie’s efforts to tomorrow’s afternoon tea event at Fresca Italian restaurant, Delph New Road, Delph.

Members of Jaynie’s family will be there, and people are asked to pay £5 for tea and sandwiches — and to follow Jaynie’s generous attitude by taking a cake to share with everyone else.

It takes place from 2.30-4.30pm, and people are welcome to just pop in.

“This will be the first opportunity to buy the book with Jaynie’s family there,” said Beverley.

Urging people to turn out in force, she added: “Come and join us and buy Jaynie’s book — we need your support so we can support you.”

The book will be on sale for £14.99, and is also available from a number of locations including the Chronicle offices, Oldham Cancer Support Centre, which is based in Failsworth Primary Care Resource Centre, Ashton Road West, and from next week will be in Boots Oldham town centre store,

A donation from the proceeds will be made to The Christie Hospital.