Volvo Buses

UNITED KINGDOM & IRELAND

Volvo Bus to continue its support of Teenage Cancer Trust in 2011

Volvo Bus has again committed to supporting Teenage Cancer Trust’s West Midlands Appeal and is planning a number of exciting fundraising events throughout 2011. The move comes after the highly publicised success of the company’s 2010 initiative which raised £60,000 towards a new £1 million, state-of-the-art Teenage Cancer Trust unit at Birmingham Children’s hospital.
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“Every little bit that we can do to support Teenage Cancer Trust will hopefully go someway to improving the lives of young people diagnosed with cancer in the region,” explained Volvo Bus Managing Director, Steve Dewhurst. “We raised a significant amount of money in 2010, with some excellent events and people worked really hard to raise as much money as possible, I hope we can replicate or even better that in 2011”.

A highly successful golf event at the Menzies Welcombe Hotel & Spa Golf Club in Stratford-upon-Avon last May was the catalyst for an extremely successful fundraising year. The event included breakfast, a round of golf in wonderful surroundings, followed by a three course evening meal and evening entertainment.

Only a few days later came the second major event of the 2010 calendar with the Volvo Bus Coast to Coast Challenge. Over three days six members of the Volvo executive team completed an epic journey of some 102 miles from Ilfracombe to Plymouth, firstly by bike and then on foot.

September saw TV personality and Teenage Cancer Trust supporter Quentin Willson drop into Volvo HQ in Warwick to officially wave off the Volvo Classic Road Tour – a 1180 mile journey collecting donations raised at the various Volvo dealerships in the UK and Ireland. Derek Mayor drove his classic Morgan sportscar, whilst Barry Mace was aboard his motorbike.

There were also various other smaller events raising money and Quentin Willson also visited The Euro Bus Expo show in November at the NEC, Birmingham to officially handover Volvo’s cheque to Teenage Cancer Trust.

Having had such a successful fundraising year Volvo Bus will be keen to continue their involvement with the charity again during 2011.
Whilst the events planned for the year are still to be finalised everybody at the company is eager to support the drive to make a difference to young people’s lives by their commitment to achieve their target of £100,000.

Every day in the UK six teenagers are diagnosed with cancer. Usually placed on a children’s ward or with elderly patients, young people often feel extremely isolated when facing a cancer diagnosis. Teenage Cancer Trust builds units in NHS hospitals that offer young people specialist care, bringing them together so they can support each other in an environment suited to them. The units’ home from-home feel creates a sense of normality, containing social areas with pool tables, comfy sofas, music, laptops, wifi, Skype and TVs. They are bright and vibrant and are designed to give young people the very best chance of a positive outcome.

For more information about Teenage Cancer Trust and to get involved in the appeal contact Pam Matthews at Volvo Bus (pam.matthews@volvo.com) or Telephone 01926 414 553.

ENDS

03 February 2011

Caption for image:  (left to right) TV personality and Teenage Cancer Trust supporter Quentin Willson with Craig Burchell from Teenage Cancer Trust and Volvo Bus Managing Director, Steve Dewhurst.