Cancer charity takes its fundraising to the airwaves
A Dorset cancer charity which has seen its events programme decimated by COVID has taken its fundraising to the airwaves.
Dorset Cancer Care Foundation (DCCF), which provides much needed financial assistance to many of the county’s cancer patients, staged a two-hour, Motown-themed fundraiser on State of the Art Radio in Southbourne.
The evening was hosted by State of the Art Radio DJ Mike Artwell and DCCF ambassador Roy Smoothe and invited donors to pledge money to hear their favourite Motown tracks.
Roy Smoothe said: “DCCF, like many charities, has been very hard hit by the pandemic, with fundraising events being either cancelled or postponed due to restrictions.
“We have had to look for more innovative for ways raise money and spread the word about DCCF’s great work and Motown Magic is a great example.
“It was a fun event, with some great music which raised over £400 and we are immensely thankful to State of the Art Radio for making it possible.”
As well as Motown hits from artists such as Stevie Wonder and Diana Ross, the show featured DCCF executive Trust administrator and Head of Fundraising Nikki Davies-Thomas and Trustee Andrea Campbell discussing how the charity helps cancer patients pay for transport costs, household bills and much needed short breaks.
DCCF beneficiary Karl Yates also revealed how DCCF helped his family following his late partner Trina Pittwood’s cancer diagnosis.
Mother-of-two Trina, a trainee book-keeper at BKB Accountants in Poole, was diagnosed with breast cancer in February 2018 at the age of just 31.
Her family, from Bournemouth was awarded two DCCF grants to help pay household bills and for a trip to a theme park for their eldest daughter’s birthday.
Trina tragically died in June of this year aged just 33.
FUNDRAISING IN MEMORY – Karl Yates and his late partner Trina Pittwood, who was helped by DCCF prior to her death in June this year.
Karl said: “Speaking on the radio was very much out of my comfort zone to start with, but I really enjoyed being part of the fundraiser and knowing that we were raising money for more families like mine and Trina’s, who have been so terribly affected by cancer.”
Anyone wishing to listen to the show online can do so via this link.
Sponsors for the radio event were: Tailor Made Estate Agents, MJS Plumbing and Heating Ltd, Haven Financial Solutions and K9 Security Guarding Ltd.
