STAFF at the Ashbourne branch of a building society are planning to boost the coffers of a cancer charity.
Leek United Building Society is celebrating 150 years in business by encouraging staff at all branches to choose a charity to support for the year.
Manager, Liz Burton, said: “It’s a cause that’s very close to all our hearts, and unfortunately every one of us knows of someone whose life has been touched by cancer. As a branch we have already taken part in Macmillan’s World’s Biggest Coffee Mornings and it was a very easy choice for us when it came to choosing our 150th anniversary year charity.”
Staff are planning a coffee morning and a sponsored running challenge in the coming months to help the 4,000 people in Derbyshire who are diagnosed with cancer each year.
Macmillan’s Tracey Townend said: “Liz, her team and customers can be assured that every penny they raise during the course of the year will be spent directly on funding the services we provide for people in Derbyshire who are living with cancer.”
Macmillan already has a strong presence in the county, with Macmillan teams working from nearly all local hospitals and 61 Macmillan professionals – including specialist palliative care nurses and clinical nurse specialists – working in the region.
In addition to Macmillan professionals based in various hospitals, hospices and advice centres in Derbyshire, there are other services available such as Readycall Macmillan, based in Ashbourne, which provides befriending and practical support to people whose lives are affected by cancer.
Throughout this year, Leek United’s Ashbourne staff are planning a range of fundraising events for the charity, as well as inviting ‘in branch’ donations from customers.
Events include a book sale, a homemade Christmas cake sale in December – and Customer Advisor Clare Evans is planning to compete again in the gruelling North-East half-marathon, The BUPA Great Birmingham Run in October.
Added Liz: “There will, of course, be plenty of other events as the year progresses, and customers will also be able to make donations to Macmillan when they visit the branch.
“With their help, we’re hoping to raise as much as we can for Macmillan during what is a really special year for Leek United.”
