Pop-up shop raises thousands for ill Mansfield dad

A mum fundraising to save the life of her son has been left astounded after a wellwisher donated £5,000 to the cause at a pop-up shop launched to raise money.

Sandra Marshall’s 35-year-old son Jack Sanders, was diagnosed with a brain tumour five years ago.

The dad-of-one, from Abbotts Croft, Mansfield, is currently seeking further medical treatment abroad, but needs to raise £30,000 toward it.

Sandra, aged 65, of Chesterfield Road North, Mansfield, said she was lost for words after a woman donated £5,000 to her son while she visited the pop-up wedding dress shop at Idlewells shopping centre in Sutton.

She said: “It was a very good three days selling the dresses at the pop-up shop.

“One lady who came in who wished to remain anonymous donated £5,000.

“She said she had someone pass away and her and her husband have no family. I was gobsmacked. “

Seven of the 83 new or ex-display donated wedding dresses were also sold over the three days.

Alongside the dresses, there were also cakes for sale and donation buckets, raising a further £1,700.

The shopping centre offered Sandra the shop for three days over the weekend starting Saturday, February 10.

She said: “The kindness of the people who visited has left me lost for words, they are lovely people.

“Another lady came in and gave me £20 and said ‘I know it is not a lot’ but it is every pound counts.”

So far, more than £45,000 has been raised for Jack’s treatment in Germany.

Sandra said she wanted Jack to see his 10-year-old daughter Ellie grow up.

She also said Jack does not appear to be “getting any worse” and believes something is going right with his treatment.

She said: “My son is my sunshine and my reason for getting up. What we want is happy brides and money for Jack. One lady messaged me and said I do not have £500 to spend on a dress and I said come down we will sort you out. We have dresses left and they are beautiful gowns.”

Sandra has also praised the shopping centre for lending them the space and is looking for future venues to sell the remainder of the dresses.