Latest news with #fundraising
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Biggin Hill cyclist aims to take on gruelling Mount Everest-sized challenge
A cyclist is taking on a gruelling 24-hour challenge to raise funds for a new cancer support centre. Biggin Hill resident Paul Clark will ride up Stock Hill 240 times in a single day to support The Chartwell Cancer Trust's plans for a new Cancer Information Centre at the Princess Royal University Hospital's Chartwell Unit in Farnborough. The climb totals more than 12,000 metres of elevation—higher than Mount Everest—and aims to raise £24,000 for the centre, which will offer vital support and information to cancer patients and their families. Mr Clark said: "This is more than just a physical test; it is about making a real difference for those facing cancer." His challenge will begin at 9am on June 21, 2025, and will continue through to 9am the following day. He has committed to riding through the night, regardless of when he reaches his target, to complete the full 24 hours. Supporters and volunteers will be on hand to cheer him on and collect donations, and the community is encouraged to come out and show their support. Donations can be made at Michael Douglas, senior trustee of The Chartwell Cancer Trust, said: "We urgently need more spaces where people affected by cancer can turn for support. "The new centre will be a place of comfort, advice, and care when people need it most. "We hope Biggin Hill will come out in force to support Paul. "Every cheer, every donation, will help build something truly meaningful for local families affected by cancer." Mr Clark is already receiving backing from businesses and residents, with sponsorship opportunities still available.
New York Times
5 hours ago
- Health
- New York Times
How Nick Gray, son of Eddie, is paying tribute to his brother: ‘It's a way to keep his memory alive'
You will always remember those people who are by your side, propping you up, in your darkest moments. For Nick Gray and his family, it's the hospice staff who cared for his brother, Stuart, through his final days. Nick and Stuart are the sons of Leeds United legend Eddie Gray (main photo: Stuart on the left, Eddie in the middle, Nick to the right). The former is currently on his latest fundraising drive in memory of his sibling, who died from cholangiocarcinoma, a rare form of liver cancer, in January 2024, at just 50 years old. Advertisement Nick, 39, is trying to complete 25 separate events throughout 2025 to raise money for Saint Michael's Hospice in the Yorkshire town of Harrogate, a 30-minute drive north from Leeds. The care and support the Gray family received through that harrowing time in their lives has stayed with Nick, who felt he needed to do something after Stuart's death. 'They are drastically underfunded,' he tells The Athletic. 'It's such a great place. It's very close to mine and my family's hearts. We saw how well Stuart was looked after while he was there. They made his final few weeks as comfortable, peaceful and as pleasant as possible in that situation.' The activities range from a 22-mile (35km) swimming challenge to a 12km (seven-mile) obstacle course and, crucially, shared experiences with Stuart's sons. You can read more about Nick and his endeavours here. Stuart is survived by five children and his partner, Rachel. Nick, who is going at this despite a long-standing back issue which stopped him playing football 15 years ago, will caddy as Stuart's son Jacob tackles 72 golf holes in a day, and will run Glasgow's half-marathon with Adam, another of his nephews. He may even take the fundraising on into 2026 and finish his push with the London Marathon. Stuart was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma in June 2023, when it was already at stage four — the most serious. At that point, Nick says, it was clear to the family that it was terminal and they were hoping for a miracle. They looked into clinical trials and innovative treatments, but none of it was possible for Stuart. He died at Saint Michael's, with his loved ones around him, just seven months after that initial diagnosis. 'It was very, very difficult,' Nick says. 'As you do in those situations, you just get on with it. It was particularly difficult and awful for Stuart's partner and his children. We were there, as best we could, to support Stuart and support them. You just do what you can. It was inevitable, what was going to happen. We knew it was coming, but when it does come, it's never easy. Advertisement 'People deal with grief in different ways. In reflecting on how I've dealt with that, my go-to was to think, 'Right, well, what can I do next? How can I support the people who supported us?'. That's been my coping mechanism.' News of Stuart's illness and eventual passing rocked his loved ones, and the wider football community too. The family are tied to the very fabric of Leeds United, including Harry, 16, and 19-year-old Archie Gray wearing the shirt in recent years, but Stuart himself had a good career as a pro between 1992 and 2006, playing for Celtic, Reading and Rushden & Diamonds among others. The family's first fundraising campaign, after Stuart's original diagnosis, was dedicated to securing the expensive and inaccessible treatments he needed. Sadly, as his condition deteriorated, the options became fewer and fewer. More than £50,000 was raised through that campaign, and the money ended up being donated to AMMF, the UK's only cholangiocarcinoma charity, and to Saint Michael's. Nick went on to raise a further £2,424 for AMMF in September 2024 by completing the 24 Peaks Trek, which takes in 24 of the English Lake District's highest peaks across two days. Nick is modest about the efforts he is putting into all this. He sees it as one important way of keeping his brother's memory alive, of ensuring everyone hears his story. 'It's a nice way — not that we will ever forget Stuart — to keep his memory alive and do something that keeps him fresh in the mind and shares his story with others,' he says. He just hopes the money he raises now can ensure other families will benefit from the priceless work the Harrogate hospice does for people in the community. His family is large but tight-knit, they were all together in those grim January days near the end with Stuart, when the hospice staff eased their pain as best they could. Advertisement 'We are very close as a family,' Nick says. 'We are all, for the most part, local to the area, so we were all here and able to kind of lean on each other through Stuart's illness. 'Even at the darkest times, the day Stuart passed away, we were all there, we were all with him. That's something that only strengthens that bond. 'We'll certainly never forget Stuart. We will keep talking about him. We'll keep his memory alive.' To donate and support Nick's efforts, click here. (Top photo courtesy of Nick Gray)
CBS News
11 hours ago
- Health
- CBS News
Park Ridge, Illinois survivor set to climb Mount Kilimanjaro to raise funds for breast cancer research
Peggy Brosnan fought breast cancer and won the battle — and she said she has never forgotten the kindness of those who helped her along the way. Now, the Park Ridge, Illinois, registered nurse is giving back in a really big way. She is preparing for the climb of her life — surrounded by her family and friends. "When I came up with the idea to combine climbing Mount Kilimanjaro with fundraising for breast cancer research, they all jumped on board," Brosnan said. Brosnan was diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer 13 years ago. She has been in remission for three years. The onetime oncology nurse is also the founder of Climbing for a Cure. She is training to climb Mount Kilimanjaro with friends and family. The group leaves Chicago for Tanzania on Thursday, June 26. The goal of Climbing for a Cure is to raise $100,000 for breast cancer research at UChicago Medicine. Brosnan said research from that hospital gave her lifesaving care. Her friend Julie Smith Penn will be climbing to honor her sister, Maureen, also a breast cancer survivor. "I'm just happy to help and support in any way — and make sure for the future, if there's more research done, then less women will have to suffer from it," Penn said. Brosnan said the climb is also her way of giving back. "I get emotional just talking about this piece," she said. Brosnan saw the kindness of others firsthand, after enduring 18 chemo treatments and six surgeries. "It was a community that carried us — and I say 'us' because they carried my family," she said. "They carried me emotionally, mentally, physically." Brosnan is the mother of five children. Her husband John and son Justin will be joining her on the climb, along with two other sons. "This all seems very doable experience," said John Brosnan, "and I think we've all been made more resilient by her optimism, by her progress, and her attitude and the way she approached her whole treatment." Justin was 9 years old when his mother was diagnosed with cancer. "Being 22 years old, and understanding more of what that means, and being able to support her on this journey and be along her side on this lifelong goal of hers, and do some fundraising along the way, is pretty cool," said Justin Brosnan. The group has been training for about two months now, with weightlifting, some aerobics, and also climbing the hill at Centennial Park in Park Ridge a part of their regimen. But how that little hill going to compare to Mount Kilimanjaro? "Because we think, jokingly, this is the highest spot in Park Ridge," said Penn. "We're all very excited, but there's definitely some trepidation and some nervousness for the unknown," added Peggy Brosnan. Brosnan said in her blue backpack while on the Kilimanjaro climb, she will be carrying a list of names of breast cancer survivors who are still battling the disease, as well as women who didn't win the fight. She said those names are her inspiration to make her way up the mountain, one step at a time, in their honor. Brosnan said so far, about $10,000 has been raised toward the organization's $100,000 goal. All of the money raised is going to UChicago Medicine for breast cancer research.
CTV News
11 hours ago
- Business
- CTV News
Inaugural London Police Chief's Gala raises over $222K for local charities
London police say the inaugural Chief's Gala generated a total of half a million dollars in revenue. During the police services board meeting Thursday, the final financial summary of the event was provided. The report showed, after final expenses totaling about $319,000 were paid out, the proceeds of just over $222,000 were split equally between two deserving local charities. LPS Chief Thai Truong presented two cheques Thursday, each for just over $111,000 to Youth Opportunities Unlimited (YOU) and the Canadian Mental Health Association Thames Valley (CMHA-TV).
CTV News
11 hours ago
- General
- CTV News
Kitchener students host garage sale to support the community
Students at a Kitchener public school spent months researching issues facing the local community and put together a garage sale on Thursday to help raise funds for The House of Friendship. Grade 8 students at Groh Public School conducted interviews looking into issues like food insecurity, a lack of access to clothing, a need for school supplies and the importance of having a sense of community. 'After we understood the needs of what people are struggling with, we came up with 100 ideas and landed with a garage sale,' said student Jana Eljayal. Students collected all kinds of items for the community garage sale and started selling products at the school on Thursday. 'There's CD's, clothing, books, shoes, sports equipment and toys as well,' said student Tatiana Voros. All proceeds are going to The House of Friendship. 'It makes me feel good. Especially because we were able to put this together in a very short amount of time. So I'm pretty amazed of how much we were able to accomplish. I feel really happy that a bunch of people are going to have a lot of good memories with these toys,' said student Ameen Adedeji. 'Some people don't have this stuff in life. We know a lot of people enjoy a lot of this. Maybe some people want clothes of another colour, or toys they can play with their friends or their family. Giving this to people is just good,' said student Harjap Ahuja. The sale wraps up Thursday at 7 p.m. The students have also launched a funding page to collect community donations.
