Gourmandise & Co tries to help ‘amazing’ couple over difficult period

Community efforts to support Denmark couple Neale and Carla France have spread to Albany.

In recent months, the Frances have been struck by a cruel double blow of motor neurone disease and breast cancer.

Mr France was diagnosed with MND late last year, a degenerative neurological condition with no known cure.

Just weeks later, Mrs France was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Owner of Denmark’s Groomers in the Heart, Jill Gow, set up an in-store donation tin and online donation account through the store’s Facebook page.

The store also teamed up with local artist Pat Pattinson to raffle her original artwork Morning Light, with all proceeds going to support the beloved couple.

Now, Albany’s Gourmandise & Co is stepping up to help.

Owner Janette Poupel, pictured, has set up an in-store donation box and will be selling raffle tickets along with Denmark’s Groomers in the Heart.

The wood for Gourmandise’s huge jarrah table was sourced by the Frances in 2014 through their business Djarilmari Timber.

Ms Poupel said they were “amazing” people.

“They were just incredible — anything we wanted or any ideas that we had, they would go out of their way to help,” Ms Poupel said.

“They’re such great people ... it would be good if we could reciprocate in some way and just help a little.

“We owe Neale and Carla our thanks and gratitude.”