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.......continued
BACTA members, who are
based across the UK, have raised over £2 million for a wide
range of national charities. They will be hoping to support
Macmillan by raising awareness at a local and national level
of Macmillan information support services through a range of
fundraising events including golf days, and Macmillan’s
flagship event, the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning. Leslie
MacLeod-Miller, chief executive of BACTA, has started the
partnership with a huge fundraising effort of more than
£20,000 by running the London Marathon.
Andrew Johnson, Head of
Development of Cool Games says: “We are very excited about
our new partnership with Macmillan and the involvement of
Cool Games will help the local community to understand how
they can receive support from Macmillan for their families,
friends and colleagues. Over two million people are living
with cancer in the UK, which means that Macmillan provides
services to many of our members and customers. It is very
important for our members to be able to put something back
into their local communities and this is an extremely
valuable way to do it.”
BACTA
is hoping to raise in excess of £100,000 for Macmillan in
2009, which could help to fund expert cancer care through
Macmillan’s medical professionals or financial guidance from
a Macmillan benefits advisor. Contributions could also help
to fund Macmillan’s information and support centres, which
ensure that people with cancer
receive all the information and care that they need in one
place, rather than having to seek out information on their
own.
Gerry Sutcliffe MP,
Minister for Sport, said:
“Amusement arcades attract hundreds
of thousands of visitors from across the UK each year and
are part of many seaside holidays. I am pleased to hear that
BACTA has teamed up with Macmillan Cancer Support to help
raise funds and awareness of the crucially important work
the charity does. I am sure thousands of visitors will want
to put a few coins in the Macmillan collection boxes as
they play on penny fall machines and crane grabs to support
this good cause.”
Tobias Ellwood MP,
Shadow Minister for Sport, says: “The partnership is a
brilliant way for Macmillan to reach local communities and
it is great to see how BACTA’s membership can work with such
a worthwhile organisation to help people around the country.
I look forward to hearing more about the partnership and the
events, which will go towards improving the lives of those
people fighting cancer around the UK.”
Don Foster MP, Liberal Democrat Spokesman on Sport, says
“Macmillan does tremendous work caring for cancer patients
and offering support and education for families and friends.
They would not be able to do this without dedicated
logistical and fundraising support and it is tremendous that
BACTA is lending such a substantial hand on both fronts.
This partnership will allow BACTA to help Macmillan reach
into local communities and make a real difference to the
lives of peopke living with cancer ”.
As well as raising money,
the partnership will play a vital role in helping to raise
awareness of Macmillan’s information and support services
for people affected by cancer. Best known for their expert
medical care and nurses, Macmillan also provides a wealth of
information and support to people not only diagnosed with
cancer but also their carers and family. Each gaming centre
will provide and display information on how to access
Macmillan services.
Charles Byrne, Head of
Events and Corporate Partnerships at Macmillan says “Our new
partnership with BACTA will not only help to improve our
services for people affected by cancer but it will help to
raise awareness of our services in local communities. As a
charity without our own retail outlets, a presence
[on
the local high street] [in our community] through [local
business name] is invaluable to helping us reach more
people.”
Over two million people
are currently living with cancer in the UK and one in three
people will be diagnosed.
- Ends
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For further
information please contact:
Rachel Bloodworth at
the Macmillan Press Office on 0207 840 4993 or at
rbloodworth@macmillan.org.uk
Cool Games Ltd
Tel 0161 628 7664
About Macmillan Cancer Support
Macmillan Cancer Support improves the lives of people
affected by cancer, providing practical, medical, emotional
and financial support. Working alongside people affected by
cancer, Macmillan works to improve cancer care. One in three
of us will get cancer. Two million of us are living with it.
If you are affected by cancer Macmillan can help.
For more information about Macmillan Cancer Support,
visit www.macmillan.org.uk or freephone 0800 500 800 for an
information pack.
About BACTA
BACTA is the voice of the British Amusement Industry
representing members from large manufacturers through to
small seaside arcades. It aims to improve the image of the
industry, encourage good practice, and create an optimal
trading environment for all sectors. It also encourages
members to adopt responsible working practices. BACTA's role
is to be the voice of the industry and aims to provide
assistance and support to its members and the wider
industry.
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