Timelines were unveiled in each of our centres, showing how the charity developed: from a small telephone hotline in Lancaster to our four centres which offer support to thousands of people each year from across North Lancashire and South Cumbria.
Each of our centres hosted an Open Day, and we welcomed past and present staff, volunteers, supporters, local dignitaries, healthcare staff, and members of the business community.
We held an Open Day at 3 of our centres, and we welcomed past and present staff, volunteers, supporters, local dignitaries, healthcare staff, and members of the business community.
The Open Days proved an excellent opportunity to reconnect, and as a result a number of past supporters have taken up the fundraising baton again for CancerCare: including Jane Reedy, whose Big 5 Challenge in 2021 raised almost £5,000 in aid of CancerCare and Cancer Research UK. Tim Farron MP raised £2,500 for CancerCare in his recent marathon.
The Open Days also prompted new support from the business community and facilitated better relations with existing and potential funding bodies.
We aimed for the year to celebrate the charity’s achievements, and to raise awareness of our work - locally, regionally, and among the health community.
Supporters were encouraged to hold their own celebrations to raise funds, and we had a special, 80s-themed 40th anniversary logo which most of our regular fundraisers adopted for their events throughout the year.
The celebrations led to lots of new opportunities for CancerCare: our CEO, Alison, was invited to a major event in Carlisle Cathedral by the High Sheriff of Cumbria; the Mayors of Kendal and Dalton both offered fundraising support, and Lancaster and Fleetwood MP Cat Smith even wished CancerCare a happy birthday on the floor of the House of Commons!
We spoke at the Cancer Alliance Annual Conference and the Cumbria Bereavement Support Partnership Annual Conference about the work of the ReFresh Group. Along with Cancer Help Preston, we petitioned the Cancer Alliance for closer co-operation with third sector providers. CancerCare staff were also invited to the opening of the new Cancer Unit at Royal Lancaster Infirmary.
Sarah and Mai in the Engagement team have worked to make the most of local opportunities to promote CancerCare. Sarah has been the first call for press comment, and has given radio interviews with Radio Cumbria in response to news of the cancer diagnosis received by the King, and the death of Hairy Biker Dave Myers. She was also interviewed by Rock FM about the announcement by the Princess of Wales following her diagnosis.
The overall increase in profile throughout the year also attracted new support but of course also brought with it record referral levels, showing without doubt that CancerCare and its work is more prominent in public perception: and also that our services are still very much needed in our community.
The challenge now is to build on that success – and make sure that our 40th anniversary is a springboard to the sustainability needed to see CancerCare through the next 40 years.