A FORMER patient of St Clare Hospice is hosting a Cabaret Event to raise funds for the charity which cared for her following a devastating cancer diagnosis.

Jem Ayres, 33 years from Harlow, is the founder of Burlesque Jems dance school and will be hosting their 5th annual Cabaret Event in honour of the Hastingwood-based Hospice. The ‘Burlesque Jems Cabaret Event’ will take place on Saturday 22 October at the Great Parndon Community Association in Harlow.

Speaking of her own personal cancer journey, Jem Ayres said: “In September 2015 I travelled alone to Thailand for a yoga retreat. On landing in Thailand I developed a nasty headache and what followed was one of the most difficult journeys of my life. I ended up having emergency brain surgery in Thailand, was flown back to Harlow in an air ambulance, and was diagnosed with advanced Stage 4 cancer.”

Jem Ayres was cared for by Clinical Nurse Specialists from St Clare Hospice who visited her at her own home. Jem said: “A cancer diagnosis is devastating and affects every aspect of your family, business and personal life. The staff at St Clare allowed me the space to deal with my illness in my own home, whilst massively supporting me with advice on the treatments I could receive and the benefits I was entitled to. I felt so supported by St Clare that I have decided to raise money for them at our annual Cabaret Event – so that I can give something back.”

Jem Ayres, who founded Burlesque Jems in 2011, explains the idea behind the dance school: “The mission of Burlesque Jems is to celebrate life in all its glorious shapes and sizes – encouraging everyone to be the best version of themselves. The women who attend Burlesque Jems have found that, as well as gaining dance skills, they have been empowered to find new levels of confidence and to feel comfortable in their own body.”

Burlesque Jems Cabaret Event will feature performances from more than 50 dancers – providing the audience with a ‘glittering’ display of ‘feathers, frills and fun.’

Tickets for the event cost £10 and can be purchased from Jem Ayres on 07903188404 or [email protected]

The event starts at 7:00pm on Saturday 22 October at Great Parndon Community Association, Abercrombie Way, Harlow, CM18 6YJ.

For more information about the event you can visit the St Clare Hospice website at www.stclarehospice.org.uk/event/burlesque-evening