Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT) celebrates 30 years of life-saving fundraising this July, with over £150 million raised since its creation in the 1990s.
The world-leading hospital in Cambridge is used by residents of Bedford Borough every year as the nearest NHS facility that offers specialist treatment, such as radiotherapy, for cancer patients.
To celebrate the anniversary, they’re asking supporters to host their own tea parties to raise money and celebrate the imperative work it does for patients across the UK.
Since 1995, ACT has worked to increase support for the hospital beyond government and NHS funding, enabling it to exceed the capabilities of the NHS, such as providing faster and more accurate diagnoses and specialised equipment not available in other NHS hospitals.
As part of the birthday celebrations, the trust is highlighting some of its key fundraising achievements from across the years to emphasise the vital work the charity does in its contribution to the hospital and patients’ lives:
- Fundraising for the purchase of the first Body CT scanner in Cambridge marked the official launch of a fundraising body for the hospital
- £1.1 million in funding raised for Breast Cancer to support research for the Personalised Breast Cancer Programme
- A £1.5m refurb of the Haematology Day Unit – turning it into a state-of-the-art facility
- The UK’s first MRI scanner wrap with nature-themed images helps to alleviate patients’ anxiety, allowing them to go through the scanner calmly for the first time, saving patients’ lives and thousands of pounds for the NHS
- Funding for a multi-thousand-pound outdoor terrain area at the new Prosthetics and Orthotics Unit in Great Shelford
- Lots of money raised goes into Staff wellbeing – providing tea and coffee for every ward within the hospital and funding an annual staff BBQ to thank the hard-working NHS staff looking after patients 24/7.
A number of local businesses are doing their part in raising money and awareness for the charity to mark its anniversary, including Tim Hayward, owner of Fitzbillies. A bakery that has dedicated a window display and is donating £1 for every ACT cupcake sold.
Tim was admitted to the hospital in November 2020 with COVID-19 and required treatment using a ventilator and suffered a pulmonary embolism and says, “I wouldn’t be here without the excellent staff and support of the hospital”.
The ACT is urging its supporters to host their own tea parties at home and at work to celebrate the trust’s birthday this July and continue to raise money for many years to come.
If you would like to fundraise for ACT and host a tea party for Addenbrooke’s, you can order your pack at ACT4Addenbrookes.org.
Published as part of our work experience partnership with Kimberley College
