The Big Space Cancer Appeal-
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About our charity and what we stand for
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£2million donation to help build new cancer care centre in Gloucestershire
Plans to create our new cancer care centre in Cheltenham have been given a major boost with a £2million donation from a charitable trust.
Our Big Space Cancer Care Appeal needs to raise a total of £17.5m to build a new modern centre at Cheltenham General Hospital to create a better environment inside and out for patients and staff. The money will also be used to transform the existing Oncology Centre where many of the current facilities are more than 25-years-old.
Almost £8.5m has already been raised for the appeal including an incredible £2million from the Summerfield Charitable Trust as well as a host of individual donations, fundraising challenges and business support.
To date, the Gloucestershire-based Trust has given more than £7 million in grants to good causes across the county, supporting areas such as the arts, environment, education, regeneration and sport.
“The Summerfield Charitable Trust is deeply committed to supporting this vital cause that will not only enhance the quality of care for patients but also significantly improve the resources available to their families and the healthcare professionals who support them. “This state-of-the-art facility will provide a haven for those affected by cancer, offering cutting-edge treatment, comprehensive support services, and a compassionate environment where healing and hope can thrive.”
David Owen, Chairman of Trustees
The new centre will enable patients to see consultants, nurses, dieticians, psychologists and other specialists all in one place. There will also be a new therapeutic garden and private spaces where patients can decompress.
Mr Owen said: “It will be such an important facility for our community, and the Summerfield Trust is proud to help fund it. We understand this pledge is just one part of the broader fundraising effort needed to bring this vision to life and we are confident that our contribution will be a catalyst for further support and help to galvanize the community to back this transformative project.”
Fundraiser Clive Organ has already gone the extra mile for the appeal. He not only cycled more than 1,600km from Land’s End to John O' Groats, but also climbed Mount Snowdon, the highest peak in Wales, while on the route as well.
The 60-year-old, from Churchdown, and his brother Dave, 61, from Cheltenham, have raised more than £5,800 so far with their sponsored bike ride in September.
“When I watched the video about the appeal, I knew I wanted to do something to help. I have always wanted to do the Lands’ End to John O’ Groats cycle ride, but we thought we would make it harder by adding in climbing the three peaks of Snowdon, Ben Nevis and Scafell Pike on the route as well,” he said. “Sadly, due to weather and timing we could only get Snowdon done on the two-week trip, but we will be going back to climb the others in the spring and hopefully raise even more money for the appeal. He added: “It was a tough ride in places especially on all the hills of Devon and Cornwall but every time it got hard, I thought about what we were doing it for, and it helped motivate us to keep going.”
Clive Organ
Cheltenham-based engineering company Spirax Sarco is one of the many businesses which have already pledged their support for the appeal. It is the learning programme sponsor for the Lions at Large sculpture trail. The learning programme will see around 50 schools getting involved by designing their own mini sculptures for the Pride of Gloucestershire trail. The company has also sponsored one of the large lion sculptures that will grace the streets of Cheltenham and Gloucester next summer.
“We are so excited to be the learning programme partner for this amazing trail that will not only raise huge amounts for this amazing new cancer care centre but also help to inspire and engage young people across Gloucestershire. “It is fantastic to see so many schools taking part in the trail and we can’t wait to see the wonderful designs take shape.”
Amy Friston, Spirax Sarco’s Marketing Manager
Arlene McGlynn, Philanthropy Manager at the Charity, said there had been an incredible level of support for the appeal so far.
“This huge pledge from the Summerfield Trust alongside all of the amazing individual fundraising efforts and support from businesses, schools and community groups so far demonstrates just how much this new cancer care centre means to the people of Gloucestershire.
“People have already taken this appeal to their hearts and we cannot thank everyone enough for their support. Every amount of money large or small helps us move that little bit closer towards getting spades in the ground next year.”
Making hospital life better
