Over the last few months we have had the privilege of welcoming new businesses to our Business Club. These organisations join our other fantastic and dedicated Business Club members and support us in our commitment to fund and champion vital local cancer research and clinical trials.
The HOPE Business Club continues to be a key pillar in our ability to keep this commitment.
Our events have been sponsored by a host of corporate supporters who have helped us achieve some fantastic successes so far this year.
Our headline sponsor for the October Business Club lunch is Marsh & Co.
Marsh and Company is a long-established insurance broker based in Leicester and Weston-Super-Mare. They have been arranging insurance cover for their clients since 1995 and they are proud of their trusted reputation which allows them access to many leading UK insurers.
The welcome drinks are kindly sponsored by Leicester Racecourse.
Thank you all so much for your support. It is because of you that we are able to fund incredible innovation, research and care right here in Leicestershire and Rutland.
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Business Club Lunch Speakers
The speakers at the Autumn Business Club Lunch are Dr Sean Dulloo and Hannah North.
Dr Dulloo will be discussing his incredible work and the importance of local cancer research. He is very active in local research. He is a principal investigator on various clinical trials in lung cancer and mesothelioma (a form of lung cancer usually linked to asbestos exposure) at the Hope Cancer Trials Centre.
Dr Dulloo’s exclusive insights will highlight some of the reasons that Leicestershire and Rutland is an internationally recognised area of excellence in cancer research.
Hannah North, daughter of HOPE’s office manager Barbara, will be talking about her experiences of the ‘C’ word.
Welcome to Kishani Navin
We are delighted to announce that since the last Business Club newsletter we have added a new member to our Trustee Board.
Kishani Navin is a solicitor in a niche local law practice, specialising in Probate and Property. She came to Leicester 30 years ago to complete her legal training and has enjoyed supporting the local community - through business and charity connections - ever since.
In Kishani’s own words, “It is a privilege to be involved with Hope Against Cancer and support its essential work.”
Grow Your Dough – a teambuilding and fundraising challenge!
This month, local businesses are being challenged by Hope Against Cancer to take part in ‘Grow your Dough’ to support life-changing cancer research and clinical trials.
The ‘Grow Your Dough’ idea is simple. Begin with £10 (donated by the employer) and, through various team challenges and events, make this money grow!
It is designed to be fun, motivating and to inspire teambuilding.
The sky is the limit as far as fundraising ideas go. They could be as diverse as baking and selling cakes, holding quizzes, washing cars, organising dog walks, exercise or physical challenges, raffles or even a chilli cook-off!
Grow your Dough is running throughout October so, if you are reading this at the Business lunch there is still time to join in!
If you would like to take part, please contact Martin on 07903 430686 or email martin@hopeagainstcancer.org.uk
We would like to say a huge thank you to all of our dedicated Business Club members.
Your support means so much for the continuity of the world-class cancer research and trials happening locally.
The Hope Business Club is growing!
We are thrilled to introduce to you the following businesses who have joined us since the last business newsletter.
MediLink Midlands:
Medilink Midlands is the Voice of Industry for the medtech and life sciences sector.
They are a membership organisation with over 20 years’ experience as the region’s specialist, not-for-profit provider of medtech and life sciences innovation business support.
Medilink Midlands aim to drive growth in the Midlands medtech and life sciences sector by developing clusters and ecosystems that help companies establish, flourish and expand. Through partnerships, they provide access to opportunities and collaborate with their members to accelerate innovation.
Guardian Finance:
Guardian Finance is a family-owned local finance company, established in 1942. Focusing on prime business at competitive rates they offer hire purchase, leasing and loan facilities to their mainly Leicestershire clients. Their directors operate an independent and flexible underwriting policy combined with friendly and efficient service.
Guardian Finance are offering their fellow Hope Business Club members preferential rates on their services.
PRP UK Ltd:
Established in 1985, PRP UK Ltd are experts in their field providing civil and structural engineering and surveying consultancy services throughout the UK.
From offices in Leicester and Northampton, they create buildings using a collaborative approach to form trust, with a genuine care for the environment and the people that their buildings impact.
Working in all sectors including residential, education, commercial, industrial, healthcare and student accommodation, PRP UK Ltd are a multidisciplinary consultancy providing innovative and practical solutions.
Their portfolio reflects their strong technical ability, experience and commitment to building long term relationships.
Forever Home Mortgages:
Forever Home Mortgages is a Market Harborough based brokerage offering friendly and expert advice to find you the best rate available. Whether it’s a first-time purchase, investment, remortgage or you are looking for your forever home, you are in safe hands.
Forever Home Mortgages are offering other Business Club Members a 20% discount on advice fees and a £25 donation to HOPE for any services used by members.
Prima Voca:
Prima Voca deliver a range of engaging physical first aid and mental wellbeing courses in the workplace, community settings and to the general public, giving individuals the confidence and competence to respond appropriately. They are proud advocates of mental wellbeing, with an ambition to create equal numbers of Mental Wellbeing First Aiders to physical First Aiders.
Prima Voca will be making a 10% donation to Hope Against Cancer for all bookings made by Hope Business Club members, whether for their workplace or outside of it (sports groups, community groups, schools etc).
Co-op Travel Oakham:
Co-op Travel Oakham specialise in crafting personalised travel experiences tailored to your unique preferences. Whether you’re planning a relaxing getaway, an adventurous trip, or a family vacation, their expert team is dedicated to providing exceptional service and valuable insights. They offer a range of travel options, from luxurious escapes to budget-friendly adventures, ensuring every detail is meticulously arranged to make your journey memorable and stress-free. They also guarantee to try and match or beat any quotes that you’ve had online from any of the tour operators that they use. For example: TUI, Jet2 etc
Co-op Travel Oakham are offering their fellow Hope Business Club members VIP rates on 37 different types of currency, 20% off travel insurance, £75/£50 travel money voucher when you book a Co-op Holiday (terms and conditions apply), 0.5 points for every £1 spent when you book any other holiday, exclusive member competitions and the yearly Your Co-op Travel magazine.
DataMail:
Datamail is a marketing services supplier specialising in direct mail, print personalisation, finishing and pack creation. They can guide you from initial marketing ideas to actual return on investment. They also offer digital broadcasting and email services, complimenting Datamail’s direct marketing offering. Their data knowledge and expertise enables them to unlock the best of your data and provide you with cost effective methods of marketing and distribution.
Take Me Taxis:
Take Me Taxis are on a mission to bring together all independent taxi services under a single, reliable brand and completely transform the UK’s transport market. Through strong partnerships, dynamic hiring and deep community connections, Take Me ensure that every ride is a step towards a better, greener future.
What your support means: Research news
For the financial year 2024/2025 Hope Against Cancer has once again committed to £200,000 funding for local cancer research.
This is split into two main areas – providing funding for two wonderful nurses at the Hope Cancer Trials Centre, Edyta and Sharon, and research funding.
The research funding will be spent on the following:
> Support for an MD/PhD student whose research is focused on the complex relationships between cancer and the immune system.
> Purchasing of vital, specialist equipment
> Pump-Priming projects
Pump-Priming projects enable researchers to collect pilot data that can be used to support future large-scale applications for external research funding. Such projects are vital but need local partners and funders such as HOPE to provide the money that gets them off the ground.
The projects we are funding this year
Understanding personalised treatment for Triple Negative Breast Cancer. The standard treatment for this cancer type is chemotherapy but this is changing as a range of new drugs and therapies enter the field, however, with new treatment options come increasingly complex treatment decisions.
This research will use the latest DNA sequencing technology to help researchers understand the differences between individuals and potentially allow Doctors to make more informed treatment decisions. *
Understanding differing responses to treatment of malignant melanoma. Researchers in this project are looking at new ways to extract RNA from samples. This RNA will be sequenced so that researchers can look for the reasons behind drug resistance and work towards personalised care.
An awareness project for uterine cancer which considers the impact of language and culture on the spread of information. Through outreach and discussion the project aims to provide information on uterine cancer which is culturally sensitive and adapted to the needs of under-served and minority-ethnic communities.
Awareness and knowledge are key to understanding early symptoms and culturally sensitive materials will have an impact on the decision to seek early medical support. *
If Alice Can, Anyone Can!
On a rain-filled Saturday during the August bank holiday weekend, 50+ riders took part in a 125-mile cycle from Leicestershire to Norfolk, raising over £95,000 for local cancer research.
The ride was organised by Alice Greaves from Old Dalby. Her strength and determination, and a host of supporters from businesses, the community and the HOPE team, resulted in both her successful arrival in Sheringham and an extraordinary amount of donations for Hope Against Cancer.
The original aim was to raise £50,000 but this target was smashed before the ride even began!
Alice was first diagnosed with breast cancer at just 24. The day before her 26th birthday she was then diagnosed with secondary breast cancer which has spread to her lungs. She has dedicated herself to raising awareness for vital local cancer research and living life to the full – which included regular long distance practise rides to ensure she could reach the finish line with her smile still in place.
Alice said, “It was an early start. I woke at 4.30am to some terrible weather but that wasn’t going to stop me or the other 54 riders from completing the ride. Spirits were high when the groups of riders began to set off. I was in the second group, leaving shortly after 5:30am, with four groups departing after me.
“Having lunch at 9:00am was slightly odd! Nevertheless, the burgers and chips helped get us back out into the torrential rain.
“Wet, windy and wild. Three words that summed up the ride!
“After some tough hills on the way into Sheringham, I could finally see the sea and the crowds that waited for me.
“I was greeted by 100+ people at the finish line, we were soaking wet, but all had smiles on their faces. It was quite the day!”
Thank you also goes to FMB cycles on Saffron Lane for providing technical support!
Thank you to all the local businesses and organisations who sponsored the ride.
Thank you for your support...
Nachural recently kindly offered HOPE a free article in their renowned magazine The Business Influencer.
With a circulation of over 20,000, this gift has allowed HOPE to share its message with a national and international audience.
We chose to write about the Sharing aspect of our work and how research and clinical trials conducted in Leicestershire and Rutland not only help our local communities but go on to have an impact on the global efforts to overcome cancer.
On 1st September thousands of runners took part in the London Big Half Marathon. Among the crowds were 18 incredible people taking part to raise money for Hope Against Cancer.
The 13.1 mile course took the runners on a journey across London starting at Tower Bridge and ending at the iconic Cutty Sark in Greenwich.
On 27th September, Hope Against Cancer had the privilege of being invited to The Signature Awards at the London Hilton On Park Lane as the chosen charity for the third year in a row. This amazing event is built by Nachural to celebrate and connect the best of British Business.
Thank you to Lumbers, Lord’s Cricket Ground and A Star Experiences who kindly provided us with prizes for the evening.
Thank you to the Nachural team and all of their guests for the fantastic support.
Dame Kelly Holmes led the elite runners off the start line. HOPE’s own Corporate and Community Partnerships Manager, Tim Gorman-Powell, ran in elite group A.
Tim said, “I’m not sure how or why I found myself in that group but I enjoyed running alongside the best of the best for the short time I did so!”
The HOPE runners not only raised thousands for cancer research and clinical trials support but, thanks to their feedback, we know they also had a fantastic day!
Thank you to the events sponsors.
It has been quite the year of golf!
HOPE’s very own annual golf day in June was a fantastic event filled with laughter, sunshine and astonishing generosity.
We are incredibly grateful to all the players, our fantastic volunteers and to everyone that donated a raffle prize – it meant a great deal and helped us raise a fantastic amount.
We have also been supported by wonderful golf days held by Pick Everard and Digital Office Group.
HOPE’s Golf day could not have happened without the generosity of the events sponsors.
Cut for Cancer
On the 9th and 10th August, 35 barbers and hairdressers from across Leicestershire and Rutland took part in HOPE’s ‘Cut for Cancer’ Campaign. They raised money in a variety of ways – some donated a percentage of their takings, some collected money and others held raffles.
A huge thank you to all the salons that took part. The Cut for Cancer will return in 2025!
Upcoming Events
As it is running throughout October, there is still time to get involved in the ‘Grow Your Dough’ challenge!
Martin is at the Hope Business Club lunch, please feel free to have a chat with him or contact: martin@hopeagainstcancer.org.uk or on 07903 430686
Fizz & Quiz at Lumbers Jewellers - 11th December, 6pm till late £250 per team of 5 which includes a three-course meal. There will also be live entertainment, an auction and raffle.
Thursday 3
The next Hope Business Club lunch
Challenge The Wild!
Held in the stunning Lake District, Challenge The Wild is a two-day adventure and team building opportunity like no other. It takes participants well beyond the everyday, bonding them through shared exhilaration and new stories!
For £300, and £300 fundraised, you will receive travel to and from the location, accommodation, food and a host of activities.
Challenge The Wild specialises in providing outdoor events and have done so for many years, taking thousands of people away for a whole new experience. The team has the knowledge and understanding to help you achieve your goals.
If you are looking for something different, as a reward or team building adventure please contact Tim or Martin: tim@hopeagainstcancer.org.uk / martin@hopeagainstcancer.org.uk or call the office on 0116 270 0101
Hope’s Golf Day returns to the beautiful Luffenham Heath Golf Course.
