Red Funnel celebrates raising £23,000 for Young Lives vs Cancer

Leanna Lakes, Operations Director, and Anne Howells, Deckhand, represented Red Funnel at a cheque presentation to the company’s 2022 Charity of the Year, Young Lives vs Cancer. Together with staff and customers, Red Funnel raised £23,000, which will go to support young people and their families as they face the impact of cancer.

The presentation was held at Jean’s House, Young Lives vs Cancer’s ‘Home from Home’ close to Southampton General Hospital, which offers free accommodation for families to stay close to their child when they're undergoing cancer treatment.

The Red Funnel team were joined by Isle of Wight resident Ewan, his mother, Stef, and father, Martin, to accept the cheque on behalf of Young Lives vs Cancer. Ewan and his family stayed at Jean’s House during his treatment.

Speaking about Jean’s House, Martin Reeve, father of Ewan said: “It’s been an amazing help to have somewhere to stay during Ewan’s treatment. Jean’s House has kept us together as a family and our other son Finlay has also been able to stay here. Staying here has lessened the emotional stress and I can’t imagine not having Jean’s House as a place to stay.”

Liz Blunt, Senior Fundraising Engagement Manager for Young Lives vs Cancer said: “Thanks to the kindness of supporting businesses like Red Funnel as well as its customers and employees, Young Lives vs Cancer is able to provide vitally needed support for young people facing cancer (0-25 year olds) from the Isle of Wight and Hampshire.

“Our charity (formally CLIC Sargent) has been supporting local families since the 1990’s with the team at Southampton General Hospital and our ‘Home from Home’ Jean’s House. The incredible amount raised by Red Funnel could pay for 10 families to stay for two months each at Jean’s House which is a free place for families to stay, helping families financially and ensuring young cancer patients to be close to their loved ones.”

Leanna Lakes, Operations Director at Red Funnel, said: “We are pleased to have partnered with Young Lives vs Cancer and hope that our donations will help those affected by cancer and support their families. We are proud to be supporting residents on the Island like Ewan and it was wonderful to be able to visit Jean's House and see the positive impact the charity has on people's lives.”

Aspire Ryde was chosen as Red Funnel’s 2023 Charity of the Year following a public vote. The cross-Solent ferry operator will work in partnership with the charity, supporting its ongoing fundraising campaigns. 

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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, Wight Proms, and Walk the Wight as well as a range of community and niche interest events. Red Funnel’s Charity of the Year, 2023 is Aspire.

For more information, visit www.redfunnel.co.uk