Hope Against Cancer will provide additional funding for local research and treatment.
Leicestershire charity Hope Against Cancer will be kicking off its 20th anniversary year with a commitment to providing a minimum of £1m in additional funding for local research and treatment over the next five years.
The team are also launching a fundraising initiative to get both local businesses and the general public involved in supporting and celebrating the charity throughout 2023.
"I am very proud to be part of the Hope Against Cancer team and to be celebrating 20 years of incredible achievements," said Hope Against Cancer’s Chief Executive Nigel Rose. "To see first-hand the impact our charity has had, and continues to have, on so many lives is the reason we all keep going – we do the fighting so that our patients can do more living."
Hope Against Cancer focuses on beating the disease, rather than managing its consequences. In its 20 years, the charity has funded over 100 research projects.
In 2012, it opened the Hope Cancer Trials Centre. The Centre has seen over 30,000 attendances since launch and is where the people of Leicestershire and Rutland can receive the most advanced therapies and techniques.
Receiving no governmental funding, the charity's every penny is raised and invested locally. Since its foundation in 2003, the small but mighty Hope Against Cancer team has raised £8m directly. Successful projects have gone on to attract many millions more in further funding from external sources.
A minimum of £1m of additional funding has also been committed over the next five years – a decision made by the board of trustees at the start of 2023, as part of the 20th anniversary initiatives.
Another key aim for Hope Against Cancer this year is to raise awareness of the charity and the pioneering work it supports in the development of life-enhancing and life-saving cancer treatment therapies and techniques.
Part of this awareness drive will see the team encouraging local businesses and individuals to take part in the 20in23 Challenge, kicking off with the Trail of Hope Weekend on June 9-11, 2023.
"I'm very much looking forward to supporting the 20in23 Challenge," added Nigel Rose. "Seeing how creative people can be when it comes to their challenges!
"Whether it's walking 20 laps of your local park, or baking 20 cakes to sell, every penny raised, and every challenge completed – no matter how big or small – will help to spread awareness of Hope and our ongoing work and commitment."
More information about the 20in23 Challenge and the Trail of Hope Weekend is available from Hope Against Cancer.
