Charity champions! A round-up of East Lancs fundraisers making a difference

A BLACKBURN law firm donated money to charity to help boost radiotherapy patients’ wellbeing.

Law firm Farleys Solicitors awarded Rosemere Cancer Foundation a £3,000 grant from its Farleys Foundation to fit skyscape ceiling panels above the treatment bed in the centre’s busy LA6 radiotherapy room.

Research shows that looking at a sunny sky or nature scene can help relieve patient stress and anxiety and make them feel more positive.

Dan Hill, Rosemere Cancer Foundation’s chief officer, said: “We are extremely grateful to Farleys for this very generous grant, which has enabled us to hopefully improve patients’ treatment experience. 

“The company has regularly supported us for a number of years now and we cannot thank its partners and staff enough for the fundraising help it has given us.”
Antonia Love, a partner in the law firm, said that charity support is high on the law firm’s priority list.

She said: “We are committed to supporting charities that work to help the community, which we also serve. 

“We are proud to support Rosemere Cancer Foundation and delighted to see our latest donation being put to such good use in helping patients relax at what must be one of the most stressful times of their lives.

“We’re delighted to have still been able to support Rosemere via our charitable foundation, particularly when our normal programme of fundraising events has been affected by the pandemic.”

Rosemere Cancer Foundation works to bring world class cancer treatments and services to cancer patients from throughout Lancashire and South Cumbria being treated, not only at Rosemere Cancer Centre, but also at another eight local hospital cancer units across the two counties.

Patients from East Lancashire are treated at the Preston-based chemotherapy unit.

Rosemere also funds vital local research, helping to provide the very best care possible for patients, today and in the future.

The charity funds cutting edge equipment, research, training and other cancer services and therapies that the NHS is unable to afford. 

For further information on its work, including how to make a donation, visit www.rosemere.org.uk.

Can you help a charity fund its gap? 

A NATIONAL charity with a regional support group that meets up regularly in Preston, has set up an appeal to help it plug the £5,000 gap in its fundraising shortfall this year.

CMT UK is a small but national-reaching UK charity that provides essential services to its members and the wider community including East Lancashire affected by the hereditary medical condition CMT (Charcot-Marie-Tooth) which damages the peripheral nerves, which means that muscles become progressively weaker over time, particularly in the hands and feet.

Donations have been affected this year by the cancellation of fundraising events due to the coronavirus pandemic, and aims to raise £5,000 through one-off donations and its #7DayActiveChallenge where fundraisers keep active for 7 days.

Chief executive of CMT UK, Simon Bull, said: “It is really important for people living with CMT to exercise or keep active within their own limits, to maintain their muscle mass.

“We have set up the #7DayActiveChallenge fundraiser, which will help everyone, including the CMT community, to keep active whilst raising much-needed funds towards our appeal. “

To find out more go to bit.ly/CMTUKAppeal.

The Road to Victory

AN East Lancashire resident has cycled his way across Lancashire to raise money for a mental health charity.
Michael Gates has been training for four years to take part in the Tour de France 2020.
He was diverted from his goal by the pandemic earlier this year when it was cancelled in April.

The cyclist has raised £1780 for Mind Lancashire.

The 2,156 mile challenge was by no means easy planning.

Michael said: “I feel I should use this opportunity to raise money for Lancashire Mind as

I have seen the heartbreaking effects of mental illness and suicide on the lives of several of my friends in my cycling and working life. I would like to raise awareness of mental wellbeing, and feel Lancashire Mind can put donations to good use to support those in our community.’’

Support BwD carers

IF you would like to support Blackburn with Darwen carers’ charity then you can sign up for the Carers Dream Draw.

Blackburn with Darwen Carers Service is a local charity which works to provide a range of services to support and enhance the lives of unpaid carers and their families living within the borough.

All you have to do is buy a minimum monthly stake of £1. 

Each month, stakes pooled together and 30% of the monthly prize money goes to one winner, a further four cash prizes of 5% will go to the runners up.

The remaining 50%is donated to Blackburn with Darwen Carers Service to help develop support services for unpaid carers. 

Visit http://www.bwdcarers.org.uk/carersdreamdraw to make a difference.

* Have you got a charity story that you’d like to share? Please get in touch with our community content editor simone.okane@newsquest.co.uk.