Leading Business Board Helps Transform Charity LATCH
Wales’s only voluntary charity business board has raised over £50,000 in its first year of fundraising for the Welsh Children’s Charity LATCH.
The business board was established at the end of 2006 by trustee Tony Curtis to help engage LATCH with the business community to generate support, organise corporate fundraising events and pursue media opportunities to promote the charity.
In the last year the board, which includes some of Wales’s leading entrepreneurs, has successfully organised a variety of corporate fund raising events to celebrate the charity’s Silver Jubilee year. One of the events included a prestigious excursion for many of the children who suffer from cancer to meet Prime Minister Gordon Brown in London.
Tony reflected on events over the last year “It’s been an incredible year for the board as we did not expect to raise such a significant sum of money in our first year of fundraising, almost doubling our original target. It has been a testament to the hard work the team and the volunteers have put in and we are confident of taking our fundraising to a new level this year
LATCH supports the paediatric oncology ward at the Children’s Hospital Wales which provides treatment and support to patients across South Wales from Aberystwyth through to Monmouthshire. The ward has treated over 120 patients over the last 12 months and has an impressive 80% cure rate for children diagnosed with Cancer and Leukaemia.
Tony continued “Unlike a lot of charities, all of the money we raise for LATCH goes directly back to help the families and those who are diagnosed with cancer. The majority of funds raised this year have improved the facilities on the ward and provided financial aid to the family’s affected. It’s good to know that the board’s contribution is making a significant difference to peoples’ lives”
Denise Henderson co-ordinator for LATCH explained “Before the business board was created we often struggled to raise the finances needed to improve the facilities. The board has been instrumental in changing this and the level of support we are able to offer has been greatly enhanced”.
The charity, which receives no statutory funding, is responsible for providing accommodation, practical and emotional support to the children and their families during these difficult times, as well as trips and treats to compensate for the real hardships they endure during the treatment years.
“The trips which Tony and the business board have organised over the last 12 months for the children have been fantastic. It is wonderful to see them smile and this is thanks to all the hard work of the board members. It’s good to know that during this difficult time there is support available to help us” Ms Henderson added.
Following the success of the business boards first year of fundraising it has bold ambitions to raise over £70,000 this year. To find out more please call 02920 748858
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For further information please contact:
Denise Henderson
LATCH Co-ordinator
Tel. 029 2074 8858
www.latchwales.org
Gerwyn Holmes
Member of the LATCH Business Board
Tel 01633 277 755 / 07738902169
For more information on GD Environmental Services please call 01633 277755 or visit www.gd-environmental.co.uk
