There are many ways to support our charity and the vital work we do funding advanced new research into the causes, diagnosis, and treatment of blood cancers.
We’re shining a light on some of our super fundraisers who have been raising money through alternative methods to help inspire you.
Elaine and Peter Kinsella
Elaine Kinsella and her husband Peter, jointly run both the Lunya and Lunyalita restaurants in Liverpool and have been inviting customers to add an extra pound onto their bill which goes into a charity pot, with the final total being match-funded by the couple.
The duo began supporting LMRUK in 2022, after Elaine was diagnosed with Myeloma following a routine blood test in January 2021. Following initial treatment, she had a stem cell transplant in October that year. Whilst in recovery, she started planning ways she could fundraise to give back to those who helped her throughout her treatment.
After hearing her story, customers were incredibly supportive. In 2022, £7,500 was raised from generous donations and with the couple’s match-funding, it brought the final figure to £15,000 which was split between LMRUK, West Lancs & Merseyside Myeloma Support Group and the Liverpool Haematology Patient Support Group.
Following the initial success of the fundraising, Elaine and Peter decided to continue their donation scheme and have raised an additional £7,657 for LMRUK!
A BIG thank you to Elaine, Peter and all their fantastic customers whose generous donations are helping to make a huge step forward in protecting the next generation from blood cancer.
Mandy Everest
Congratulations to Mandy Everest who was crowned Macbeth Insurance Brokers & Financial Services’ ‘Star Player’ for Q1!
As part of her win, Mandy chose LMRUK and the Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund to receive a charitable donation from Macbeth.
Her colleagues said: “Mandy represents our company values in every way, in particular her entrepreneurial skills, pushing herself out of her comfort zone to develop new business ideas and build lasting relationships with clients and colleagues, all with a big smile on her face!”.
Thank you, Mandy! Enjoy your well-deserved celebration.
Kevin Pluck
In April, Kevin Pluck was appointed Captain at his local golf club – Kingsway Golf Centre, Melbourn, Cambridge.
He is dedicating his year as Captain to raising funds for LMRUK after losing both his parents to blood cancers. Kevin said: “My father, Ken, died in 1981 of Leukaemia and my mother, Margaret, died in November 2022 of Myeloma, so I deeply understand the impact blood cancer can have on families.”
Kevin is organising a range of fundraising activities for members over the next 12 months, to raise as much money as possible for charity.
So far this year, the Club has raised over £850 through a ‘Guess the Captain drive’ competition, Augusta Masters Sweepstakes, and a Captain’s Drive-In which saw people who donated receive a bacon roll and free entry into the golf competition.
Well done, Kevin and all the members of Kingsway Golf Centre for your fantastic efforts and generous donations.
Francis Lea and Chris Cattrall
Great work by keen runners Francis Lea, 25, and Chris Cattrall, 44, who between them raised £1,500 in sponsorship from taking part in running events at Dorney Lakes, near Windsor in March.
Francis was running in memory of his father, postman Colin, 63, who died just five days after being diagnosed with Leukaemia part way through a family holiday. Colin had put his aches and pains down to his job as a postman in Crawley and had no idea he was suffering from a blood cancer.
Chris, meanwhile, ran in support of his mother, who is fighting Myeloma. He said it was appropriate that the event was on Mother’s Day. Hecame second in the competitive 5k event in a field of 200. Francis, who took part in the 10k, only took up running after his father passed away.
Well done to them both!
If you’ve been inspired to fundraise or donate to our charity, then discover all the ways to get involved here: https://lmruk.org/fundraising/.
