Cancer Support UK fundraising update

 How our colleagues’ efforts have made a positive difference to patients’ lives…

The year has passed the halfway mark, which is an ideal time to take stock of our fundraising efforts for Cancer Support UK, our chosen charity for 2026/27.

And what a performance it’s been, with our wonderful colleagues so far raising an incredible £14,570 (including gift aid) through a range of heroically strenuous and challenging activities. That excellent sum comes with a priceless payoff, as it’s been used to provide direct support to 897 patients impacted by cancer.

Stuart Russell, Head of Commercial at CPI, said: “Congratulations to everyone who has given time and energy to make such a positive difference to those patients in need. There are few words to describe our pride at the way you’ve all embraced our charity campaign with such gusto, so I’ll start with two: thank you.”

CPI’s enterprising fundraising events during 2026’s first six months included:

• Gary Arnold and Shellden Greaves abseiling down Halifax’s landmark Wainhouse Tower. The intrepid pair’s 275ft rope-led descent raised a brilliant £240, with CPI matching the amount to ensure a grand total of £480 will be donated directly to support people navigating a cancer diagnosis.

 

• In an event that was strictly terra firma, David Burgess collected an outstanding £1,410 following his participation in the London Marathon.

 

• Also keeping the fundraising wheels turning were Andrew Collins, David Fowell, Lee Hubbal, Stephen Thomas, Karl Brooke and Terry Smith. The six colleagues completed a sponsored cycle ride between CPI’s Harlow and Northfleet plants. The 45-mile trek will help to raise further funds and awareness for Cancer Support UK’s crucial work.

 

• With every CPI colleague entitled to a volunteering day each year as part of our commitment to community engagement, Carl Jeffreys, Alex Boyes, and Daniel Holmes used their time to see how our charitable donations are being put to good use. The group spent a day at Manchester Children’s Hospital, helping Richard Trimby from Cancer Support UK deliver comfort kits to children undergoing cancer treatment. Our colleagues also met Sophie, the hospital’s Play Team Leader, who explained how a distraction or goodie bag can provide such a lift to youngsters facing a gruelling day of treatment. The visit proved a powerful and humbling experience for Carl, Alex and Daniel, and reinforced why we took the decision to make Cancer Support UK our charity partner this year.

 

• Sarah Warrington and Russell Smith further demonstrated how colleagues can positively impact communities through volunteering and fundraising by distributing cancer care kits at London’s University College Hospital (UCLH). Again, this superb gesture provided genuine practical support at an extremely stressful time for patients. Well done Sarah and Russell and a huge thank you to Richard Trimby and the Cancer Support UK team for making these rewarding volunteering opportunities possible.

 

For the colleagues who have helped support our charity so far this year, each of them has said how focusing on helping others has boosted their own sense of wellbeing, pride and achievement. They also spoke glowingly about how their charity efforts offered a rare opportunity to get out and about and make meaningful connections with people in their community while further establishing friendships with colleagues.

Stuart Russell continued: “Congratulations, team CPI. Your selfless actions have positively affected 897 lives, which is an incredible outcome. Let’s keep the good news coming for the rest of the year and do whatever we can to help our wonderful chosen charity.”

 

For more information about Cancer Support UK’s amazing work, visit: www.cancersupportuk.org