Bradford College

College Raises Funds for Marie Curie

In the battle to beat cancer, Bradford College has been working tirelessly over the last two years to raise funds for Marie Curie Cancer Care Bradford Hospice. Marie Curie Cancer is a national charity with nine hospices operating across the UK that care for terminally ill patients aged 18 and above. Specially trained nurses work day and night to provide support for patients in their own surroundings.

The decision to support Marie Curie was part of a College-wide initiative which began almost two years ago. This was the start of a very special relationship with Marie Curie.  Staff and students have donated their time, skills and money in various projects in the last academic year to raise a total of £5709.09. The money has been collected through a number of projects including: donations, selling exhibitions, sponsored walks and by planting a “Daffodil Field of Hope.” 

Bradford College Principal, Michele Sutton, OBE, along with Arts and Cultural Events Manager Clare Lamkin and Walking Champion, Jonathan Curtis, were delighted to present Community Fundraising Manager, Brenda Doyle, with a cheque for the monies raised to date.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Brenda Doyle said: “We are extremely grateful for the money and very impressed by all the time and effort that has gone into supporting the hospice.”

Principal, Michele Sutton confirmed that the College would continue to raise funds for the hospice in the next academic year and that planned projects included: a sponsored Parachute Jump, extending the Field of Hope outside other College buildings, supporting the Hospice’s Autumn Fayre, hosting another selling Photography exhibition, publishing and sell a Healthy Living Cookery Book written by College students, making a DVD which promotes the work of the Hospice, which could then be used at fund raising events.  Other charity raising initiatives for the Hospice include: donating original student art work to the hospice for auction at its Annual Ball and for Marie Curie to commission an original work.  The work would be written and performed by college students, from their perspective and maybe from someone who has a relative living with cancer.

Michele Acknowledged the important work of the hospice supporting both patients and their relatives and concluded: “We want to use the piece to educate people, to allay their fears but to also communicate what other services the hospice offers and about how peoples choices are important. If successful the piece can be used by Marie Curie in promotional material.”