Cancer charity makes £1 million birthday wish
The region’s primary cancer charity is calling for immediate community support in bid to reach the first £1 million mark of an appeal before its birthday next week.
Lingen Davies Cancer Support launched the £5 million Sunflower Appeal - its biggest appeal to date - at its birthday celebration in June last year. Since then, the cancer charity has raised over £840,000 for the appeal with support from local people, community groups, and organisations.
The appeal will fund the development of a new Lingen Davies Cancer Centre at Telford’s Princess Royal Hospital by 2029 – a finish line which will coincide with the charity’s 50th birthday.
To support the Sunflower Appeal, a major match-funding campaign kicked off on 1 April with Telford & Wrekin Council pledging £250,000 to match donations and help boost funds. Every pound donated to the appeal since the start of April has been doubled.
Naomi Atkin, CEO at Lingen Davies Cancer Support, said:
“The Sunflower Appeal was launched on our birthday last year and it would mean so much to us and everyone facing a cancer diagnosis if we could reach that £1 million target just 12 months later.
“We’re incredibly grateful that Telford & Wrekin Council has pledged £250,000 to match donations to our Sunflower Appeal, meaning every pound donated by someone brings us two steps closer to achieving our end goal. We encourage everyone to make the most of this generous pledge and donate now to the appeal.
“We’ve been making a positive difference for people across Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, and Mid Wales who are living with and beyond cancer for nearly 47 years, but nothing we’ve done would have been possible without the support we receive from our community.
“This isn’t just our birthday wish. It’s also a vital lifeline for the local people currently receiving a diagnosis, going through treatment, and adjusting to new lives following cancer. With statistics saying that one in two will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, it’s never been more important to work together to ensure everyone has access to excellent cancer care locally.”
The new Centre will see chemotherapy capacity doubled, with 30 additional chemotherapy bays, alongside providing dedicated urology, lung, and outpatient clinics. Nearly 40% of people currently accessing care in the Lingen Davies Cancer Centre at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital have a TF postcode. Offering care closer to home, and freeing up space for others in Shrewsbury, will mean everyone can access the care they need, where they need, quicker.
Councillor Lee Carter, Leader of Telford & Wrekin Council, added:
“Cancer touches almost every family, so ensuring people can access high-quality care close to home has never been more important. We are proud to be supporting Lingen Davies Cancer Support through our match funding for the Sunflower Appeal, helping to make every donation go further at this crucial time.
“Reaching the £1 million milestone ahead of the charity’s birthday would be a fantastic achievement and a real reflection of the generosity of our community. This new cancer centre will make a lasting difference for residents across Telford and Wrekin, with shorter journeys, quicker access to treatment and expanded local services. I would encourage everyone who can to support the appeal and help bring this vital project closer to reality.”
The development of a new Lingen Davies Cancer Centre is part of the wider Hospitals Transformation Project.
Lingen Davies’ £5 million fundraising target is in addition to general fundraising to support several other life-changing projects, such as its £150,000 Wellbeing Programme for local people affected by cancer and free to access Cancer Champions training.
Find out more about Lingen Davies Cancer Support, the Sunflower Appeal, and how you can donate at lingendavies.co.uk/sunflower-appeal