Young Lives vs Cancer chosen by public as Red Funnel’s Charity of the Year 2022
Tue, Feb 1 2022
Red Funnel has announced that Young Lives vs Cancer has been elected as its Charity of the Year for 2022. The announcement follows the results of a vote by both the general public and Red Funnel colleagues.
Young Lives vs Cancer provides support for young people living with cancer as well as much needed support to their families. From the beginning of the treatment and throughout their journey, they help provide the strength, support and resources needed to face everything that cancer throws at them. The team provides specialist tailored support to each family, ranging from financial grants to free accommodation next to hospitals, emotional support and more. Over the last year, the team has supported over 200 families across the Isle of Wight and Hampshire.
Fran Collins, Chief Executive of Red Funnel, said: “I am delighted to announce that Young Lives vs Cancer has been selected as Red Funnel’s Charity of the Year 2022. We are in awe of the dedication, commitment, and passion that the team at Young Lives vs Cancer have whilst serving those in need. We look forward to working in partnership with them over the next 12 months and hope we can work together to continue to rise funds for the vital support they offer patients and families in their time of need.”
Over the next 12 months Red Funnel will support Young Lives vs Cancer in a series of ongoing fundraising campaigns. In previous years Red Funnel has helped its partners to fundraise through customer donations, sports competitions and volunteering. All funds Red Funnel raises will help Young Lives vs Cancer to support children and young people, from babies up to the age of 24 years old.
Speaking on behalf of Young Lives vs Cancer, Liz Blunt, Senior Fundraising Engagement Manager, said:
“We are over the moon to have been chosen as the Red Funnel’s Charity of the Year for 2022 and are so grateful to their staff and customers choosing to support children and young people with cancer. We don’t receive any government funding and it’s vital that families get the support they need at such a distressing time. We can only provide essential support thanks to companies like Red Funnel. A massive thank you to everyone who took part in the vote, this is such a significant partnership and we are really excited to be working with Red Funnel.”
Young Lives vs Cancer succeeds Isle of Wight Independent Lifeboats, which held the distinction of Red Funnel’s Charity of the Year in 2021. A final announcement of total funds raised along with a cheque presentation is due to be announced soon.
The two runners-up in Red Funnel’s COTY section process were: Independent Arts – a small but well-known Isle of Wight charity, which tackles loneliness and vulnerability, through quality art-based programmes, supporting islanders ages 4 to 104 years, and The Royal National Institute of Blind People, who support IOW residents who are losing their sight, by providing vital emotional and practical support.
Red Funnel has also unveiled that it has committed a cash donation and equivalent support package to a combined sum of £10,000 (£5,000 each), to both the Independent Arts and The Royal National Institute of Blind People. The company will work with the respective charities on specific initiatives over the next 12 months.
From 1st Feb, Red Funnel customers can opt to make a donation to Young Lives vs. Cancer at the time of booking their ferry travel online. For more information about Red Funnel’s Charity of the Year scheme and Young Lives vs Cancer, please visit: https://www.redfunnel.co.uk/coty and https://www.younglivesvscancer.org.uk/
-Ends-
For further information, please contact [email protected] / 02380 382 970
Notes to editors
About Red Funnel
Red Funnel is the original Isle of Wight ferry company with roots tracing back to 1820. Based in the UK port of Southampton, Red Funnel carries 2.3m passengers and over 800,000 vehicles on its ferry route between the UK port of Southampton and East Cowes and 1.1m passengers between Southampton and West Cowes on its Red Jet Hi-Speed service.
In addition to ferry travel, Red Funnel is the only cross-Solent operator to offer ferry inclusive bonded holiday accommodation, attraction tickets, festival and event tickets and activity packages. Sub-brands include ‘Red Jet’ (the Hi-Speed passenger only ferry service serving West Cowes) and its on board café, ‘ReFuel’.
The Company is a founder member of Visit Isle of Wight Ltd, the Island’s not for profit destination management organisation and Red Funnel sponsors or supports most of the Island’s premier events including the IW Festival, Cowes Week, Rhythm Tree, The Great Wonderfest, Wight Proms, Cowes Classics, and Walk the Wight as well as a range of community and niche interest events. Red Funnel’s Charity of the Year, 2021 is Isle of Wight Independent Lifeboats.
For more information, visit www.redfunnel.co.uk.
About Young Lives vs Cancer, in their own words:
Young Lives vs Cancer
As Red Funnel’s Charity of the Year 2022, any funds raised will hugely help Young Lives vs Cancer support children and young people with cancer and their families on the Isle of Wight. When a child is diagnosed with cancer it threatens everything, for them and their family. For families facing this on the Isle of Wight, this means receiving treatment at the nearest specialist hospital Southampton General Hospital, where Young Lives vs Cancer’s dedicated social care team is based. The social workers provide specialist and bespoke support to help families face everything cancer throws at them. It could be a financial grant for a parent struggling to keep their child warm through treatment or for a young person who can’t afford to get to hospital, or helping a family to stay together at the ‘Home from Home’ Jean’s House, a free place for families to stay close to hospital when their child is receiving treatment. The team supported over 200 families from the Isle of Wight and Hampshire in the past year, without government funding. They can only provide this vital support thanks to the kindness of others.