Apprentices smash fundraising target
A TEAM of IT apprentices from Astra Zeneca in Macclesfield are celebrating after smashing their original target of £10,000 and raising over £14,300 for Teenage Cancer Trust during their charity partnership in 2015.
During the partnership the team took to the skies in a tandem sky dive, dressed up in Santa suits as part of the Manchester Santa dash and became master bakers with numerous cakes sales throughout the year raising vital funds for teenagers facing a cancer diagnosis.
The team have now passed on the baton to the new group of recruits who hope to continue the partnership as they launch their fundraising campaign for 2016.
Vanessa Simmons, Teenage Cancer Trust Fundraising Manager for the North West said: “It’s so wonderful to have the support of the apprentices at Astra Zeneca who have got behind their fundraising campaign with enthusiasm and a passion.
“As a charity, we rely on donations and the support of the local community through partnerships like these to ensure young people with cancer and their families have access to the best possible care and support. A huge thank you to everyone involved.”
Charley Denny from the Charity Committee said: “We wanted to partner with a worthwhile charity that resonates with our age group and were delighted to support Teenage Cancer Trust.
“It’s a great cause and we had so much fun over the 12 months taking part in events we would never have contemplated before. We are delighted that the new cohort of apprentices are continuing the partnership and will look with interest at what they achieve during 2016. Teenage Cancer Trust is the only UK charity dedicated to improving the quality of life and chances of survival for the seven young people aged 13 to 24 diagnosed with cancer every day.
The charity funds and builds specialist units in NHS hospitals and provides dedicated staff, bringing young people together so they can be treated by teenage cancer experts in the best place for them.
Vanessa said: “Traditionally treated alongside children or elderly patients at the end of their lives, young people can feel extremely isolated, some never meeting another young person with cancer. Being treated alongside others their own age can make a huge difference to their whole experience. Teenage Cancer Trust wants every young person with cancer to have access to this specialist support, no matter where they live.”
The trust also educates young people and health professionals about cancer to help improve the speed and quality of diagnosis.
Cancer in young people is rare but Teenage Cancer Trust wants young people to know the common signs so they can seek medical advice if they are worried.
Visit www. teenagecancertrust.org