GENERAL back into supporting cancer patients and their families and we constantly strive to increase this figure,” said Dr Bushby. “The open plan space is better suited to modern working and will enable enhanced communication across our teams as well as proximity to the medical and research community which Big C helps to fund.” Dr Sally Ann Forsyth, chief executive officer at Norwich Research Park is delighted that Big C is moving into the Centrum building located at the heart of the Park. “Big C is an excellent charity, held in the highest affection in Norfolk and the Waveney Valley. It is making a real difference in the global battle against cancer and it is a natural progression for its main office to be located here,” she said. “It will be great for the operational team to be close to the researchers and clinicians within the collaborative community here on site.” The move takes the charity back to its founding principles of providing support and care for patients and their families affected by cancer. It is also a “homecoming” as the first project funded by Big C after its formation in 1980 was raising £750,000 for a specialist cancer care unit at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital. A decade ago it opened its first Support and Information Centre also on the site following a £1million fundraising appeal.
THE BIG C
Big C Moves From City Centre To Norwich Research Park ig C, Norfolk and Waveney’s cancer charity is relocating its operational offices to Centrum on the Norwich Research Park, close to the buildings and facilities that have been recipients of its biggest donations for equipment, research, support and information during its 35 year history.
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The move embeds Big C among the academic, medical professional, health and research community in an environment to stimulate conversations and develop more opportunities for par tnership working, which in turn could lead to increased access to funding to benefit cancer patients across the county. The proximity to the most uptodate research and the NNUH will enable Big C to increase the impact of its work across research, education and suppor t and bring increased benefits to patients and their families. “We will be embedded in the place where we can link the findings of research with the continued suppor t and care we offer, increasing the impact,” said CEO Dr Chris 22 | Diss & Attleborough
Bushby. “For more than three decades Big C has been successful in funding equipment and treatment facilities and supporting research into cancer and providing care for those affected by cancer in Norfolk and Waveney. Big C is growing and is dedicated to raising even more money, so it is important for us to be at the centre of where our charitable investments take place. From here we will be able to use our experience to help drive the agenda.” The move which takes place on May 9, is cost neutral. The charity, which purchased its Castle Meadow premises more than 12 years ago, is in the process of examining its options for maximising the returns on the city centre asset. In addition, operational costs of the 2000sq ft offices at the Centrum building are minimised due to greater efficiencies in the build and shared communal facilities. “As a charity we are conscious of ensuring our costs are kept to a minimum. At least 70p in every £1 raised by our loyal and energetic suppor ters goes straight
Big C’s Co-founder and trustee David Moar couldn’t be more excited. “Big C has been successful thanks to the people of Norfolk and Waveney,” he said. “This is a great opportunity to be closer to and benefit from being embedded within the medical and research community and fantastic recognition for Big C to be here. As a charity we need to be progressive and part of the changing medical scene. We have to be in the right place at the right time. There is an awful lot happening in the Research Park. This is a force for good and will project Big C forward for the next 35 years. The people of Norfolk and Waveney have enabled us to be adventurous and progressive.” “The whole medical world has moved on since we started fund-raising. Now hospitals lease most of the equipment and a lot more focus is being put on research, so it is good for us to be in the best place to network with potential partners,” he said. ”At one end Big C is a local community charity,” said Dr Bushby. “It is driven and supported by volunteers who give more than 40,000 hours a year to help out in many different ways. Some give time in the 10 shops that sell pre-loved furniture, clothing, household and electrical goods www.DispatchMagazine.co.uk