JDW reaches £20m cancer charity milestone
The money has been raised during the past 20 years through initiatives such as pub staff organising raffles, quizzes, bake sales, bingo, head shaving, leg waxing, sky diving and mountain climbing with generous customers giving their money to take part.
The Young Lives vs Cancer charity provides practical, financial and emotional support to children and young people with cancer – and their families.
Initial target of £500,000
Young Lives vs Cancer director of income and engagement Luke Mallett said: “When the partnership began with a chance meeting in 2002, the initial fundraising partnership had a target of £500,000, yet, 20 years later, that total has reached an incredible £20m.
“Wetherspoon’s staff and pub communities have amazed us year after year. Young Lives vs Cancer supports more than 7,000 young cancer patients and their families each year, and Wetherspoon’s customers, employees and local communities play a part in helping to be there for them.”
JDW people director Tom Ball added: “We look forward to raising even more in the years to come to assist Young Lives vs Cancer with its outstanding work in helping young cancer patients and their families.”
Financial and practical support
Young Lives vs Cancer helps young people from birth to the age of 25 who have cancer, and their families, to face everything which cancer throws at them. The charity’s specialist social workers offer empowering support to help families to face the emotional effects of a cancer diagnosis. They also offer financial and practical support by liaising with schools and employers, helping families to access grants and benefits.
Young Lives vs Cancer provides grants to help families with the costs associated with cancer, including those for petrol, parking and food. The charity also has 11 ‘Homes from Home’ across the UK – a free place for families to stay close by, while their child is going through treatment.
