Fundraisers for Macmillan Cancer Support are asking the people of Swindon to help raise enough money to fund two new Macmillan Professionals.
Every day in Wiltshire, 11 people will hear the devastating news they have cancer, and 5 people will die from the illness.
A fundraising party of over two hundred supporters from across the country will be walking the 297 mile Macmillan Way this July in an attempt to raise £108,000 for the charity. Part of the route, from Boston in Lincolnshire to Abbotsbury on the Dorset Coast, will go through Box and Bradford on Avon.
Joining the Wiltshire leg, will be walkers from the large number of science and technology businesses based at the Bristol and Bath Science Park in Emerson’s Green, and Career Directed Solutions based in Bradford on Avon.
The fundraisers are calling for help from individuals, groups and businesses in the region who would be willing to support the challenge by either taking part in a section of the walk, or by offering corporate or individual sponsorship. Details can be found at www.macmillanwalk.uk.
The challenge is being led by South West law firm, BPE, and spearheaded by lawyer, Rob Bryan. Rob was inspired to launch the campaign after his mother and a close friend were cared for by Macmillan Cancer Support so he witnessed first hand the incredible support and care they were given.
Macmillan Cancer Support help people living with cancer in Wiltshire and across the UK, receive essential medical, practical and emotional support. In 2015, the charity reached 2 million cancer patients through Macmillan Services.
In addition to these patients, Macmillan helped many more carers, family members and friends, reaching 5.8 million people in total. There are currently 23,000 people living with cancer in the county and it is predicted that by 2030 that number will more than double to 48,600 - enough to fill Swindon Town’s football stadium three times.
Tom Beasley, Head of Bristol and Bath Science Park says: “We are excited to be supporting the BPE Macmillan Way Challenge. Rob will be joined on a section of the walk by Science Park staff and tenants. We love the concept of the walk combining the opportunity to undertake some fundraising, network with new and existing contacts as well as enjoy some exercise and explore some new areas of the county.”
Steve Thompson-Martyn, Director of Career Directed Solutions says: “We are very proud to support Rob on such an inspirational walk for an inspirational charity. Too many of us have been touched by cancer and the work of Macmillan. This feels like a great opportunity to give something back.”
Rob Bryan of BPE Solicitors says: “We will be walking through Wiltshire between Wednesday 19 and Friday 21 July. On 19 July we walk from Sherston to Box, on 20 July we will be having a rest day but seeking to raise further funds for Macmillan in Box, and on 21 July will be walking from Box, through Bradford on Avon and South Wraxall, to Beckington.
'It would be fantastic to see as many people as possible from the area come out and join us for a small part of the route. We really are rallying support from across the country, it’s very exciting and so great to see how passionate people are about Macmillan Cancer Support. Any level of support would be hugely welcome. We are encouraging individuals, parish councils, small fundraising groups and businesses in a position to offer corporate sponsorship to get in touch and find out how they can help.
"I am very committed to people being treated with dignity throughout their lives and especially at the end of their lives. Macmillan Cancer Support made a profound difference to my Mum and to our family.”
Steven Goodrick, Fundraising Manager for Macmillan in Wiltshire, adds: “Macmillan works tirelessly to support people in Wiltshire living with cancer, and their families. But resources are tight. We rely heavily on donations from the hard work of fundraisers such as BPE and Rob. Please, if you can join in the walk and help fundraise, any level of support would make a huge difference to Macmillan and to the people that we support.”
The team, including Rob, members of his family, BPE colleagues and clients, and friends, will set off on the 297 mile challenge from Boston in Lincolnshire on 1st July and walk coast to coast, finishing in Abbotsbury in Dorset on 29th July (29/7).
Rob is hoping that everyone walking will raise ?297 for the campaign and each sponsor will sponsor at least £29.70. He is inviting everyone to get involved by:
- Joining him on the walk, taking in all or some of the route;
- Sponsoring him (or friends and family) to do the walk
- here;
- Local companies offering corporate sponsorship and encouraging colleagues and employees
- to get involved. Corporate sponsors already include: Le Creuset; BPE; Thwaites Communications; Bristol and Bath Science Park; Career Directed Solutions; Village Web Design, OxoEveCreative; Emperor.
For more information about how you can get involved, visit www.macmillanwalk.uk or email [email protected].
For donations, visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/MacmillanWayChallenge
Follow the team on twitter @BPE_Rob
Your Comments
Be the first to comment on this article
Login or Register to post a comment on this article