I thought it sounded amazing, and I knew I wanted to do something to help out
Dave Oldfield first heard about the mobile cancer care units at a business event and was so impressed with what they offered, he decided to get involved in fundraising to support them.
Ironically, two weeks later, he got the devasting news that his dad had been diagnosed with the disease.
“It very quickly became a cause that is now very close to my heart,” says Dave.
He adds, “My dad lives in Spain and has to drive five hours to get his treatment every day. That’s really reinforced it for me what a good charity Hope for Tomorrow is and how very lucky we are to have this facility in this country. It makes a huge difference to lots of people.”
Dave owns Blue Sky Signs, a signage business in Gloucester and it was after chatting to a member of staff from the charity at a networking event that Blue Sky Signs then hosted their first Cuppa for Cancer, which is the charity’s flagship fundraising campaign.
“I had seen the units around and vaguely knew they were something to do with cancer treatment, but other than that, I didn’t really understand what they were all about. When I found out the full extent of what they offered, I thought it sounded amazing, and I knew I wanted to do something to help out.
“We did the Cuppa for Cancer with tea and cake for friends, family and clients for one day last year, and it was a great success. The staff enjoyed it too so we are going to do it again this year.
“Obviously, raising money for the charity is the priority; the cost of keeping these units on the road is not cheap. The marketing is important for the charity too, and getting the charity’s name out there and raising awareness of what the units are all about is important as they rely so much on fundraising.
“We found that even when people couldn’t physically come to the event, they had heard enough about it from us to make a donation anyway. Putting on an event like that gets the name out to the public.
“I have yet to meet anyone, friends or family, who doesn’t think raising money for the units is a great cause, and most people know someone who has been affected. Everyone is hugely supportive. Unfortunately, it is a disease that touches so many people in some way or another.
Dave’s company also supports the units by offering printing at special rates, and the company has provided signage in the past.
“I feel we have only played a tiny part in raising money so far, but it has spurred us on to do more, which is nice, and although we haven’t got anything set in stone, we will definitely be doing more.
“When you work in an industry with tight deadlines as we do, it can be quite challenging. But when you are fundraising as a team, you do loads of different things outside of your normal routine. It can be really satisfying and so rewarding knowing we are giving something back to the community.
“Knowing we are doing some good is hugely satisfying. If anyone is thinking about getting involved in any sort of fundraising or volunteering, I would say one hundred percent go for it as it’s an incredibly rewarding thing to do.
“And yes, business and work in general is tough for everyone at the moment, but the satisfaction of getting physically involved and helping others is indescribable. We all need to do our bit, no matter how small. At the end of the day, it can’t all be about the bottom line.”
I thought it sounded amazing, and I knew I wanted to do something to help out
Dave Oldfield first heard about the mobile cancer care units at a business event and was so impressed with what they offered, he decided to get involved in fundraising to support them.
Ironically, two weeks later, he got the devasting news that his dad had been diagnosed with the disease.
“It very quickly became a cause that is now very close to my heart,” says Dave.
He adds, “My dad lives in Spain and has to drive five hours to get his treatment every day. That’s really reinforced it for me what a good charity Hope for Tomorrow is and how very lucky we are to have this facility in this country. It makes a huge difference to lots of people.”
Dave owns Blue Sky Signs, a signage business in Gloucester and it was after chatting to a member of staff from the charity at a networking event that Blue Sky Signs then hosted their first Cuppa for Cancer, which is the charity’s flagship fundraising campaign.
“I had seen the units around and vaguely knew they were something to do with cancer treatment, but other than that, I didn’t really understand what they were all about. When I found out the full extent of what they offered, I thought it sounded amazing, and I knew I wanted to do something to help out.
“We did the Cuppa for Cancer with tea and cake for friends, family and clients for one day last year, and it was a great success. The staff enjoyed it too so we are going to do it again this year.
“Obviously, raising money for the charity is the priority; the cost of keeping these units on the road is not cheap. The marketing is important for the charity too, and getting the charity’s name out there and raising awareness of what the units are all about is important as they rely so much on fundraising.
“We found that even when people couldn’t physically come to the event, they had heard enough about it from us to make a donation anyway. Putting on an event like that gets the name out to the public.
“I have yet to meet anyone, friends or family, who doesn’t think raising money for the units is a great cause, and most people know someone who has been affected. Everyone is hugely supportive. Unfortunately, it is a disease that touches so many people in some way or another.
Dave’s company also supports the units by offering printing at special rates, and the company has provided signage in the past.
“I feel we have only played a tiny part in raising money so far, but it has spurred us on to do more, which is nice, and although we haven’t got anything set in stone, we will definitely be doing more.
“When you work in an industry with tight deadlines as we do, it can be quite challenging. But when you are fundraising as a team, you do loads of different things outside of your normal routine. It can be really satisfying and so rewarding knowing we are giving something back to the community.
“Knowing we are doing some good is hugely satisfying. If anyone is thinking about getting involved in any sort of fundraising or volunteering, I would say one hundred percent go for it as it’s an incredibly rewarding thing to do.
“And yes, business and work in general is tough for everyone at the moment, but the satisfaction of getting physically involved and helping others is indescribable. We all need to do our bit, no matter how small. At the end of the day, it can’t all be about the bottom line.”
