Social enterprise supports Cancer Research UK to boost Covid19 funding loss

SPECTRUM Community Health CIC, one of the 1st health social enterprises to spin out of the NHS, has partnered with Cancer Research UK in a move that should hopefully help the charity to claw back what it estimates is a multi million pound shortfall in donations due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

As part of its Charity of the Year initiative, Spectrum's Chief Executive, Dr Linda Harris OBE will be attempting to climb:- '10 Peaks in 10 Days' starting on:- Friday, 18 June 2021. The strenuous challenge will see Dr Harris traverse ten of the highest peaks in the Lake District in a bid to raise funds for Cancer Research UK. The charity said, in December 2020, that it would have to cut its research support by some ₤45m due to the massive loss in its own funding.

Spectrum provides professional health services for the NHS and Public Health across a portfolio of community based services in sexual health, health and justice and substance misuse across the North of England. This year, it celebrates its 10 year Anniversary, and is committed to annually contributing a minimum of 10% of any surplus monies it generates to good causes. Through a range of incentives and campaigns in the last decade, Spectrum has raised an estimated ₤1.1 million for charity.

As well as setting herself a ₤5,000 fundraising target, Dr Harris, alongside a number of supporters including:- staff, public health and NHS England colleagues, has opened the 10 peaks challenge to members of the public.

Each of the ten walks are challenging in their own right with many requiring steep climbs over rocks, in particular Great Gable, Scafell Pike and Helvellyn.

Dr Harris, CEO at Spectrum Community Health CIC, said:- "I'm spurred on not only by the fact that this organisation has lost far too many of its respected and much loved friends and colleagues to cancer over the years, but also this worrying shortfall in its funding. Cancer Care is an integral part of the services we deliver here at Spectrum and we all need to do what we can to help, so I hope many will join me in the Lake District in fundraising for Cancer Research UK. this challenge will help to promote our fantastic 10 year campaign and work anniversary. Those who know me know I'm not fit, however I wanted to help shine some much needed positivity following the worrying last 12 months and do our bit to get the charity's fundraising efforts back on track. The walk is open to everyone and anyone; plus I'll need lots of help and encouragement! It's a fantastic way to raise funds, to get more physically active and explore some of England's most scenic countryside."

Kathryn Leverett, Fundraising Manager for Cancer Research UK, said:- "1 in 2 people now survive their cancer for 10 years or more in the UK, but there is still so much more to be done. Our ambition at Cancer Research UK is to accelerate progress in cancer research and see 3 in 4 people survive the next 20 years, but we need huge support to make this happen. The support from Spectrum Community Health CIC is hugely important to us and the commitment to raising money for life saving research is fantastic. Good luck to Dr Linda Harris OBE and everyone supporting this amazing challenge."

Over the past decade, Spectrum has helped over 400,000 individuals. In that time, it has been shortlisted for over 50 national healthcare awards, winning 21, and expanded its portfolio of services into sexual health, health and justice, and wellbeing. Most recently, it has successfully partnered to deliver one of the country's Covid19 large scale community vaccination centres.

Those interested can register for one or all of the peaks by completing the following form online.

Lockdown easing in England delayed to 19 July 2021

TODAY, huge crowd of people, holding banners as well as making loud chants of:- "shame on you" have descended outside the gates of Number 10 and along Parliament Square in a protest against Covid19 measures. This comes as Rishi Sunak has said that the Furlough Scheme will not be extended, and has refused to budge, despite the 4 week delay to lifting all restrictions. Also, businesses will still have to start paying bounce back loans, even though many still not have enough income and this delay will increase the likelihood of mass unemployment within the small business community.

At a press conference at 6pm, the Prime Minister confirmed rules on social distancing will not end as planned on 21 June 2021 and will continue until at least July 19. A bit of help though has been given for some businesses, as the limit on wedding guest numbers will be removed, but venues will still have to adhere to other rules. Boris Johnson told a Downing Street press conference that going ahead with stage 4 on 21 June would mean:- "a real possibility that the virus will outrun the vaccines and that thousands more deaths would ensue which could otherwise have been avoided."

Social enterprise supports Cancer Research UK to boost Covid19 funding loss

Lockdown easing in England delayed to 19 July 2021

Total UK cases Covid19 cases in and around Liverpool City Region