Miles for Smiles 2020
This time last year, we were preparing to launch the CCUC Stormont Mile – a really important event that was established to raise awareness of childhood cancer and raise vital funds for the Children’s Cancer Unit.
Unfortunately, this year’s event had to be cancelled – but that doesn’t mean we cant still support families and children affected by cancer in Northern Ireland.
In the absence of the CCUC Stormont Mile, we are launching Miles for Smiles – a new campaign to replace the event, allowing us to raise funds at home, which are desperately needed at this time.
How to take part – 3 Steps:
1. Choose your challenge
Walk / Clock / Time
Walk a mile. Get yourself outside for some fresh air or bring your family to stretch your legs.
Clock as many miles as youre fit for. If one is too easy then let us see what distance you can cover.
Time your mile. If speed is your thing, then show us just how fast you can sprint one mile.
*Always remember to keep socially distant where appropriate!
2. Tag the Children’s Cancer Unit Charity in any of your photos, times and distances.
We want to see everyone that takes part and supports the campaign. This is just as much about raising awareness as it is about raising funds.
We’re @CCUCharity on Twitter and @childrenscancerunitcharity on both Facebook and Instagram.
3. Make a donation to the Childrens Cancer Unit Charity.
All proceeds go towards supporting families from across Northern Ireland who are affected by childhood cancer and the incredible team at the Childrens Cancer Unit.
Text SMILES to 70490 to donate £5 (Texts cost £5 plus standard network rate)
Or make a donation here.
Children’s cancer charity calls on public to help clock ‘Miles for Smiles’
Release – Thursday 31st May
The Children’s Cancer Unit Charity has today launched a new fundraising drive in aid of families affected by childhood cancer in Northern Ireland.
The ‘Miles for Smiles’ campaign sets participants the challenge of walking, running or sprinting one or more miles, raising vital funds to help put smiles on the faces of young patients of the Children’s Cancer Unit.
Felix Mooney, Chairman of the charity which supports the work of the medical team and staff at the Children’s Haematology and Oncology Unit at the Royal, explained the rationale behind the campaign. He said:
“The coronavirus pandemic is having a huge impact on communities, businesses and organisations across the globe. Places of work, events, shops, the hospitality sector have all been closed and essential measures have been put in place to keep us apart from one another, to help protect our loved ones and the NHS.
“For families affected by childhood cancer, the concept of social distancing and isolation is not a new one. However, that doesn’t make it any less worrying or frightening and these already very vulnerable young children and their families still need support.”
Felix continued:
“Fundraising and the capacity for many charities to continue to provide their services have declined drastically. For us at the Children’s Cancer Unit Charity, we would have been using this time to prepare for the upcoming CCUC Stormont Mile – our first standalone fundraiser of the year which was scheduled for the 14th June.
“We were forced to cancel the event at Parliament Buildings under public health guidelines, but that doesn’t mean we can’t still take part. We are asking the public to complete their mile – or more, if you’re fit enough – whether that’s by walking, running or sprinting, and making a small contribution to the Charity.
“It’s our job to provide any additional support that will make a child’s cancer journey more comfortable and to help to put smiles on their faces during a very difficult time. We hope that as many people as possible will come out to support our ‘Miles for Smiles’ campaign, so we can all continue to do this very important task.”
To take part in the campaign, choose your challenge – walk, clock or time your miles – tag the Children’s Cancer Unit Charity in your photos, distances or times, and text SMILES to 70490 to donate £5.
For more information on the ‘Miles for Smiles’ campaign and the work of the Children’s Cancer Unit Charity visit www.childrenscancerunit.com
T&Cs: Texts cost £5 plus your standard network charge.
ENDS
Contact:
Anna McDonald
075 076 942 51