Burnley charity launches 'friends of' scheme aimed at funding more hospital cancer equipment

Burnley charity CARES is urging businesses across East Lancashire to become their 'friend' in order to help raise funds for vital cancer equipment.
CARES representative Anthony Fairclough with Laurence O'Connor, from Financial Affairs.CARES representative Anthony Fairclough with Laurence O'Connor, from Financial Affairs.
CARES representative Anthony Fairclough with Laurence O'Connor, from Financial Affairs.

Labels, the CARES designer charity shop in Burnley town centre, donated £75,000 last October to purchase an endoscope and scope guide for Burnley General Hospital to help detect early cancer in adults and children.

Now the charity, set up just before the pandemic last year, is launching a new fundraising drive which they hope will lead to further equipment being bought.

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'Friends of CARES' involves businesses choosing CARES as one of their main charities with a pledge to offer support through a single one off donation.

CARES representative Anthony Fairclough said: "We're looking for local businesses who are willing to make CARES one of their main charities because it's local and because it makes a real difference to the town and the community.

"We're providing vital preventative equipment for the cancer department at Burnley and we are fully endorsed by the NHS and the East Lancashire Hospital Trust. We're just appealing to as many people or businesses as possible to get behind the cause.

"Once they become a 'friend', they will be able to carry the logo on any of their adverts, property, stationary etc. They will all get a certificate to hang in their place of work, then invited to an annual special event. Basically, every company in the country always has focus on a particular charity, and we want CARES to become one of the main charities for Burnley in terms of the good it does. That's our mission.

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"Labels is our only source of income aside from donations. So this is a new initiative designed to bring extra revenue into the charity.

"Every single transaction that goes through the shop, 100% of the money goes directly to the cause. This is 100% real, 100% local, with 100% profit for charity."

The first 'Friend of CARES' will be Financial Affairs, Standish Street, Burnley, whose managing director Laurence O'Connor said: "We've worked with the charity for the past two years, helping them with the insurance for their shop, and doing a number of other things.

"We always try and support a number of local charities that are doing good for the town and the community. We're literally around the corner on Standish Street and thought it was a good idea to help support a really good cause that helps with cancer prevention.

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"That might be helping out by volunteering or spreading the message, it might be donating some money to buy some stock or just donating some money.

"We try and align ourselves with charities that can have the most impact locally, and we really believe CARES is just that."

Anybody wishing to become a 'Friend of CARES' needs to contact email [email protected].

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