For the third year in succession Celton Manx is lead sponsor for Relay For Life Isle of Man, part of a global movement fundraising for cancer research. The campaign culminates in a 24-hour community relay event in aid of Cancer Research UK taking place on Saturday August 24th at the National Sports Centre.
At the launch of this year’s campaign, held at The Crescent nightclub on Friday February 22nd, organising committee chairman Nicola Walkingshaw said the target was to raise ?50,000 to add to the ?130,000 donated in the Isle of Man since 2010 when it first took part in the UK-wide initiative.
‘We’re extremely grateful to Celton Manx for their continued support as lead sponsor. Relay For Life is a great community family-focused campaign and the relay itself is open to all ages and all abilities. You don’t have to be an accomplished athlete; this is a fun event but one with a serious message, “cancer never sleeps”. Teams just need to register and, most importantly, get fundraising, then turn up on the day and celebrate their achievements. In 2012 around 450 people took part in some way and we’re hoping for around 500 this year,’ said Nicola, adding: ‘Although Cancer Research UK is a UK-registered charity, we have a local charity registered here and the money raised from the campaign in the Island will go towards helping fund the treatment of Isle of Man cancer sufferers. We want to create more birthdays.’
She continued: ‘The launch was a great opportunity to bring a wide cross section of the community together - committee members, past entrants, cancer survivors, their families and carers, sponsors and supporters – to start setting out a programme of events in the run-up to August 24th. We want to put Relay For Life on the map and make it into one of the most eagerly anticipated annual community events in the Island’s social calendar. Cancer is a serious business and we want to make fighting it our business.’
Celton Manx executive director Bill Mummery said: ‘We are pleased to be associated once again with Relay For Life as it embodies many of the values we hold dear in our corporate social responsibility programme, principally those that encourage people, irrespective of age or ability, to get involved in community-led initiatives that help put the “fun” into fundraising.
‘Relay For Life has the power to inspire and unite communities, families, friends and colleagues to make a stand against cancer, honour those lost to the disease and, importantly, to celebrate life. As lead sponsor Celton Manx is proud to be part of that celebration.’
The Relay For Life Isle of Man 2013 takes place on Saturday August 24th at the National Sports Centre, Groves Road, Douglas, starting at 12noon.
You can register or donate online at relay.cancerresearch.org.uk and follow Relay For Life Isle of Man on Facebook for details of all the fundraising initiatives.
For more information contact Nicola Walkingshaw or any of the team on relayiom@gmail.com.
Photo - Members of Dot’s Dream Foundation: Becky Smith, Jayne Simpson, Nicola Walkingshaw, Lynsey Christian, Debbie Pitts, Jennie Walker, Emma Callow, and Sally Waugh
