Cheltenham-based Mira Showers has raised more than £72,000 for Young Lives vs Cancer, helping to support children and young people facing cancer across the UK.
A cheque for £72,306 was recently presented to the charity’s Fundraising Engagement Manager, Claire Tregunna, by Mira Showers Managing Director Emma Foster. Representatives from Cheltenham Town Football Club also attended following their involvement in a joint fundraising campaign.
The donation follows Mira Showers naming Young Lives vs Cancer as its Charity of the Year, with staff taking part in a range of fundraising activities. The total was boosted by a partnership with Cheltenham Town FC through a special ‘third kit’ campaign, which saw Mira donate its front-of-shirt sponsorship to a limited-edition kit. The club later added a further £3,000 contribution to the charity.
Claire Tregunna said the support would make a meaningful difference to families dealing with cancer.
“We were honoured to be selected as Mira Showers’ Charity of the Year. We can’t thank them enough for their incredible hard work and dedication to supporting children and young people with cancer,” she said.
“Cancer remains the single largest cause of death from disease in children and young people in the UK. The challenges facing the 4,000 children and young people diagnosed every year are more than medical. Cancer is overwhelming and isolating, and the future can feel very uncertain.
“With donations like this one, we can continue to provide vital mental health support and financial guidance from our Specialist Social Workers, as well as our accommodation service.”
Each year in the UK nearly 4,000 people under the age of 25 are diagnosed with cancer, with the charity estimating the donation could fund more than 1,000 nights of free accommodation at one of its “Homes from Home”, allowing families to stay close to their child during treatment.
Emma Foster said charitable fundraising remained an important part of the company’s values.
“Charity fundraising means a great deal to us as a business and is a key part of our ethos to support the communities where we live and work,” she said. “I couldn’t be prouder of the passion and commitment of our associates who go above and beyond to raise as much money as possible for our chosen charity.
“The work that Young Lives vs Cancer do to provide specialist and tailored support to young people and their families facing cancer is incredibly important, so we’re absolutely delighted to be able to donate over £72,000 to help fund this.”