Press Release
Press Release - Group's Dedication to Charity Earns National Praise 2009
Cancer Research UK – Gibraltar Branch has received a national award from Cancer Research UK in recognition of an outstanding contribution to the cause.
The charity’s annual Flame of Hope Awards recognises remarkable efforts in fundraising and volunteering made by people from all walks of life.
Cancer Research UK – Gibraltar Branch, scooped the Fundraising in the Community accolade, beating off stiff competition from across the UK.
Myra Zayas, Chairperson for the group picked up the award on Friday June 12 at a special ceremony in London hosted by Cancer Research UK’s Chairman, David Newbigging.
An audience at the Russell Hotel in Russell Square heard how the group has shown exceptional dedication to Cancer Research UK by raising over £1,000,000 since it was formed in the 1960’s. Last year alone they raised £84,000.
Myra said: “'Being somewhat detached from the mainland and part of such a small and close-knit community we sometimes feel that we are working solely as a local charity so it came as a complete surprise to have been nominated and have jointly won this award. Were it not for the excellent relationship that we have with our Area Manager Helen Waters, who nominated us, and the support we receive from CRUK generally through her endeavors we would just continue our fundraising work, painstakingly collecting money and creating as much awareness locally as possible.
It is therefore extremely gratifying to be rewarded with such an honour. It is the cause that we all work for that gives us our inspiration, but equally important is the recognition of the efforts by our community through their continued generosity and support of the charity and its aims. This award belongs to the Gibraltar community and makes us feel very appreciated and an even more integral member of CRUK giving us further strength to continue to work harder towards the ultimate aim of the charity.
Harpal Kumar, Cancer Research UK chief executive, said: “Cancer Research UK has made enormous progress in the fight against cancer. However, we have only been able to do this thanks to the dedication and commitment of our volunteers and supporters without whom we would not be able to fund outstanding scientists, doctors and nurses. Our Flame of Hope awards give us the opportunity to celebrate and say thank you to these enormously generous volunteers and supporters for the fantastic work they do.”
Helen Waters, Cancer Research UK spokesperson for Gibraltar, said: “These awards are our way of saying thanks to the people who are the lifeblood of our organisation – people who give of their time freely to raise money for research and promote greater awareness of the disease, and yet ask for nothing in return. We salute our supporters everywhere because together we will beat cancer.”
