World Cancer Day: local housebuilder fundraises £41k to support teenage cancer patients
This World Cancer Day, Barratt Developments South Wales has announced an impressive total of £41,800 fundraised for its Charity of the Year, Young Lives vs. Cancer.
During 2022, Barratt employees took part in various forms of fundraising activity — such as golf days and bake sales — to raise funds for the charity.
The donation will be put towards aiding the charity in its efforts to provide financial support, accommodation and counselling for children, young people and families dealing with a cancer diagnosis.
James Jackson, Senior Quantity Surveyor at Barratt Developments, went a step further, raising £500 by cutting off over eight inches of hair for the cause.
James said: “Every day, young people and their families face a cancer diagnosis — something nobody should have to go through alone.
“Charities that support these families, such as Young Lives vs. Cancer, deserve all the help they can get — so we hope our fundraising goes a long way in supporting them financially and drawing attention to the work they do. It was an honour to cut my hair in the name of such a good cause.”
Further donations to other charitable organisations across Wales were also made through a variety of the housebuilder’s charitable initiatives, including its Community Fund — which sees selected local beneficiaries receive £1,500 each month to benefit communities in and around Barratt developments.
The Community Fund has benefited over 33 South Wales charities since its set-up in January 2019 — with the most recent charity beneficiaries being Prostate Cymru, Calan DVS and Cerebral Palsy Cymru.
What’s more, Barratt ended 2022 with two additional Christmas donations, with Velindre Cancer Trust receiving £5,000 and the Salvation Army’s Christmas foodbank appeal receiving £2,500 towards the purchase of essential items for those in need. These donations took the housebuilder’s total charitable donations for 2022 to almost £60,000.
David Kelland, Operations Director for Barratt Developments South Wales, said: “After a tough couple of years for communities across Wales, it was more important than ever for Barratt to do everything possible to support those who needed it most during 2022.
“Looking ahead to 2023, we look forward to supporting even more charities than ever before, including our new Charity of the Year — Marie Curie — from July onwards.”
The Community Fund application is open to all South Wales-based, registered charities. To be considered, applicants can email bdwswcommfund@barratthomes.co.uk explaining what the funding would be spent on and how it would benefit the local community.
To find out more about Young Lives vs. Cancer and to make a donation, please visit: www.younglivesvscancer.org.uk/