About us

Babons Cancer Support is a charity that exists to come alongside the cancer community of Tonbridge, whether you are the patient, carer, family member, colleague, or friend.

Babons Cancer Support has been created in memory of Jean Spickernell (called “Babon” by her grandchildren) who lost her life to cancer in 2022. Jean was a “pocket rocket” who loved her community and always looked for ways to help others even when she needed help herself.

As a family we have experience of supporting the cancer community through counselling, but then in 2020 the stories we were hearing from others became our own as Jean was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Whilst dealing with the devastating diagnosis, the journey we experienced as a family highlighted how much help we needed and how fast things changed daily with Jean’s care. We found much of our time was spent researching what we could access to make Jean as well cared for as possible and to maintain her independence and dignity. We felt very alone as a family with no one to guide us through.

Support for the local cancer community was remarkably close to Jean’s heart. Sadly, she did not live long enough to see it happen, but her family has taken up the baton and BABONS is born!

Inspired by the grandchildren, “Babon” was not only her name, but BABONS reflects exactly what Jean wanted to do for the cancer community by Bringing A Bit Of Needed Support!

Babons Cancer Support is here to help and support through Counselling, Support Groups, Drop-in Emotional Support and Signposting to Support Services.

All our services are free. We understand how cancer can have a major impact on a family’s income, leading to considerable financial hardship. It is extremely important to us that people can access our support without monetary difficulties being the reason they do not ask us for help.