Hi, my name is Chantelle van der Watt, and this is my story.

Six years ago, my husband and I made the difficult decision to leave South Africa and move to the United Kingdom. We came with hope, determination, and dreams of building a better future for our two children.

We arrived in pandemic, ready to start a new chapter. Cancer has always been present in my family history, and I was aware of the risks. I repeatedly asked doctors about screening and was told I would need to wait until I turned 40.

Two months after my 39th birthday, my life changed forever.

I was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Just one month later, I received even more devastating news: the cancer had already spread to my bones. I was diagnosed with secondary metastatic breast cancer, and told that my cancer is incurable.

No one is ever prepared to hear those words.

Suddenly, everything changed. Instead of planning for the future, I found myself facing treatments, uncertainty, and difficult conversations about time. The average life expectancy I was given was around five years, but I am determined to make every day count with the people I love most.

I am a wife to an incredible husband, my best friend and my person. I've been married for 19 years 23 years together 33 years knowing my husband. Together we are raising two amazing children, aged 14 and 11, who continue to give me strength every day.

Like many families, we have faced significant financial challenges. We have recently gone through the costly process of renewing our visas and passing our the Life in the UK exams and requirements. Despite working hard to build a future here, we have never been able to buy our own home.

Over the last six years, we have lived in five different rental properties. Every move has brought new costs, uncertainty, and disruption for our family.

My greatest wish is to leave my family with something secure—a place they can truly call home.

The funds raised will help us build a deposit towards purchasing a home, creating stability for my husband and children both now and in the future. Knowing that they have a permanent place to live would bring me enormous peace of mind.

Asking for help does not come naturally to me, but cancer has taught me that we cannot always face life's hardest challenges alone.

If you are able to donate, no matter the amount, you will be helping us work towards a secure future for our family. If you cannot donate, sharing our story would mean the world to us.

Thank you for taking the time to read our story, for your kindness, and for helping us create lasting security and memories for our children.

My dream is simple: to know that when I'm no longer able to provide for my family, they will always have a place to call home.

With love and gratitude, Chantelle