Cancer United Crowned the Winner of Sussex Charity Campaign

UNITED KINGDOM / AGILITYPR.NEWS / September 25, 2020 / Sussex property lettings and management specialist PS&B is delighted to announce that Cancer United has been crowned the first winner of their new community charity campaign.

The campaign, launched last month to support Sussex charities, not-for-profit groups and services that have felt the devastating financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, received an incredible response from the public who nominated local charities and then voted for the winner.

The finalists were Cancer United, the West Sussex North branch of the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MND) and Chichester Information Shop for Young People. With close to 500 votes from the public, and while every charity was a worthy winner, it was Cancer United that pipped the others to the winning post.

Cancer United is a support charity for Sussex residents whose lives have been affected by cancer. The charity aims to improve the physical and mental wellbeing of those with cancer from diagnosis onwards, inspiring them to embrace the things they can do and to refuse to be defined by what they can’t, whilst also giving support to those close to them.

Since being established in 2012 the charity already offers: use of a cancer specific gym and pop up gyms across Sussex, two minibuses so members can go on social outings or travel to events together, two community choirs, a walking, jogging and running club, a walking football initiative, a support bus and much, much more.

Jan Sheward, founder of Cancer United, was presented with a cheque for £500 by PS&B’s Director Michael Barber. On winning, Jan said:

“We are a cancer support charity with a difference - in fact I believe that we are rather unique in the support that we offer. Everything we do revolves around social interaction in many different environments which offer sport, physical activity and music. We bring together those whose lives have been affected by cancer, whether it is the patient or those close to them, as they too will have been affected by a cancer diagnosis. 

“As soon as lockdown was enforced, we quickly diversified onto Zoom for all exercise sessions and choir rehearsals so that we could keep the members fit, happy and socially engaged. What we couldn't continue with, was all of our fund-raising events. In addition, the donations we have always received from many different individuals and/or organisations ceased overnight, causing the loss of about 65% to the charity's income.  

“We are continually seeking any funding opportunities which not only help our sustainability - but just as crucially, raise awareness of the important work that we do. I’d like to thank everyone who took the time to nominate us for this award and then voted for us to win. We are currently working on an OUTCYCLECANCER project, and this very welcome grant from PS&B will be used to help us launch the project and in addition help spread the word about Cancer United.”

PS&B is now calling out to the public to nominate further causes for round two of their charity community campaign to win the next £500 donation. Each nomination must be for a Sussex based cause and should highlight the type of project, charity, group or service, details on what the £500 would be used for, and contact details for both the nominee and the nominator.

Nominations should be submitted to psandb@pmwcom.co.uk by midnight on 25.10.20. As before, details of the top three nominations (as chosen by PS&B’s management team) will be announced via PS&B’s Facebook page, giving the public the chance to vote for the project or cause they feel deserves the donation the most. The winner will be announced in November 2020.

“We are thrilled to present Cancer United with our first donation from our community charity campaign,” explained Michael Barber. “They offer a wonderful service to the people of Sussex and provide support to so many in need – congratulations!

“PS&B has been serving the South East for nearly 200 years as a business, and this campaign is an opportunity for us to give something back to the areas we live and work in. So many wonderful causes were nominated for round one of our campaign and we can’t wait to see who comes forward for the next donation.”

For more information on PS&B please visit www.psandb.co.uk.