Danske Bank races ahead for Cancer Focus

Danske Bank has announced plans to continue the successful partnership with Cancer Focus NorthernIrelandfor one more year. Danske Bank customers and staff have already raised a magnificent £266,000 over the past two years for the leading local cancer charity.

Cancer Focus is hoping to receive £400,000 in total through the three year partnership with more fundraising events planned and two athletic Senior Managers leading the way.

Funds raised by the partnership support the charity’s Family Support Service, a lifeline for children when an important adult such as a mum, dad or grandparent gets cancer.

Danske Bank’s Managing Director, Retail and Private Banking, Tony Wilcox is harnessing pedal power, for a second year, to cycle around Danske Bank branches inNorthern Irelandand is also taking in Danske Bank Advisory Centres inDublinand Letterkenny.

Last year Tony, raised more than £13,000 on a tough ‘Town to Town Tour’ when he cycled more than 300 miles in three days, visiting 34 Danske Bank branches along the way.

Keen runner Ivan McMinn, Head of Finance Centres at Danske Bank, is running a marathon for Cancer Focus. He has been through his own cancer journey, having been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and completed treatment last year.

Ivan pointed out, “We have been raising funds at work to support the Family Support Service which steps in to help families when a mum or dad is diagnosed with cancer.

“I was fortunate that my children were older but I am more convinced than ever before how absolutely vital this service is to families. After my own experience, and after meeting some of the families and children who use the service, I couldn't fail to get involved.

“I lost my own dad to cancer when I was only seven, so as a consequence of both that experience and my own more recent one, I can relate all too well to the trauma caused when cancer enters a home.  Personally, I am so thankful to be able to run a marathon.”

Tony added, “My colleagues right acrossNorthern   Irelandwill be working hard to increase our fabulous fundraising efforts even more this year. I would like to say a big thank you to everyone, both customers and staff, who helped us reach our amazing two year total of £266,000."

Joyce Savage, Head of Appeals and Marketing, Cancer Focus (the new name for the Ulster Cancer Foundation), said: “We are absolutely delighted that Danske Bank has decided to renew our partnership for a third year.

 “Thanks to support from the bank’s customers and staff to date, Cancer Focus has been able to expand its Family Support Service. In the last year the number of families we were able to help has increased and the demand for our one-to-one service has risen by 30%.

“We have been able to hold more family support group nights and bereaved children’s respite breaks and employ an extra member of staff to help children in the Mid-Ulster area.”

If Danske Bank’s sporty staff have inspired you, why not sign up for this year’s Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon – and go the extra mile to raise funds for Cancer Focus, this year’s official charity?

The charity is urging everyone in the community to run the marathon, relay or fun run or do the walk, enjoy a carnival family day out and raise money for an excellent cause at the same time.

All the money raised will stay inNorthern   Irelandand support local cancer patients and their families.

For more information about Cancer Focus please call 028 9066 3281or click on www.cancerfocusni.org. For information about the marathon email belfastmarathon@cancerfocusni.org