Celebrating fundraising in 2023!
We’ve taken a look back over 2023. Here’s a few of our highlights!
Big Purple Bus
After a lot of time and preparation, we were delighted to launch our Big Purple Buses at an official community launch day in September.
Now, more than three months on the road, the bus has helped get the charity out to hard-to-reach areas across South Yorkshire and our health and wellbeing advisors have spoken to hundreds of local people about available cancer support.
For more information about the Big Purple Bus and where to find it, click here.
Fundraising
Fundraising is at the core of what we do here at Weston Park Cancer Charity, our services rely solely on the money that you donate and we’re proud that in 2023, we did more events and fundraisers than ever!
From our signature Doncaster Races Day, to the thrilling June Sky Dive, these major events helped us raise thousands. But the community spirit didn't stop there!
Supporters took unique paths—concerts, bed pushes, coffee mornings, and head shaves—all contributing to our cause.
Our heartfelt thanks to everyone who made these initiatives a success. For more information on how you can get involved in fundraising contact charityteam@wpcancercharity.org.uk.
Events
This year saw us launch our very first Walk as One event which saw more than 500 people come together to conquer the challenge.
The walk started at Endcliffe Park in Sheffield and gave people not only the chance to come together in solidarity but to support each other and raise money for the charity.
Numerous participants shared touching messages, displaying them prominently for others to understand the reasons behind their walk—whether in celebration, remembrance, or as a gesture of support.
We were also honoured to see how many people chose to don Weston Park Cancer Charity shirts to raise money for us across various running events.
Congratulations to all runners who took part in events last year including the Sheffield Half Marathon, Sheffield 10k, and the Round Sheffield Run.
We also have to give a special shout-out to the 44 teams who took part in our Golf Day back in July. More than £31,000 was raised and we had plenty of fun – despite the rain!
‘Together at Every Step’ Partnership
2023 saw us work even closer with our football club partners Sheffield Wednesday, Sheffield United, and Barnsley Football Club as part of our ‘Together at Every Step’ matchday partnerships.
The matchdays saw us take over Hillsborough, Oakwell, and Bramall Lane and saw the players don our charity t-shirts during warm up as well as Weston Park volunteers on hand to collect donations.
Our Big Purple Bus even parked up at Hillsborough and welcomed Owls fans on board to talk about available cancer support.
Our Together at Every Step partnership launched in 2021 with Sheffield United FC and Barnsley FC with Sheffield Wednesday joining in 2022, this continues to show our regions football teams’ commitment to help those affected by cancer.
Christmas Star Campaign
In November, we launched our Christmas Star Campaign which saw us not only raise vital funds, but it saw us profile some of our very own stars across our charity. We profiled people who have been supported by the charity and the hospital, staff members, and our volunteers.
We hosted our Sing under the Stars event which saw people come together to enjoy music and entertainment from both the Sheffield Cancer Choir and Sheffield’s Rock Choir. We also enjoyed a festive orchestral performance from the University of Sheffield’s.
To end the year on a high and to help spread some much-needed festive cheer, we were delighted to welcome players and management teams from both Sheffield Wednesday and Sheffield United to our wards. The players took time to speak to patients, hand out club merchandise, and pose for photos.
Emma Clarke, CEO of Weston Park Cancer Charity, said: “I would like to take this moment to say a huge, huge thank you to every single person who has helped raise money for our charity during 2023. We have seen a record amount raised and simply, without you, we wouldn’t be able to do it.
“I would also like to say thank you to our staff who continually impress me every day with their hard work and commitment to reaching our charity goals.
“A special mention also goes out to our volunteers who do so much for us, and without them, our events simply wouldn’t go as smoothly as they do!
“Here’s to a positive 2024 for all.”
To find out how you can support Weston Park Cancer Charity in 2024, get in touch with our charity team on charityteam@wpcancercharity.org.uk
In other news...
Welfare appointments now available in the community with Citizens Advice
We are pleased to now be offering our welfare appointments with Citizens Advice in the community, on Mondays in Manor and Fridays in Darnall.
Celebrating three years of our free transport service – Introducing Sally and Caroline
This month marks three incredible years since our free transport service took to the roads of South Yorkshire. Hear from two patients who have used the service and share their experience.
“Weston Park Cancer Charity is honestly unbelievable. The staff, their services, their support – everything.” – Donna’s story
In late 2023 mother-of-two Donna Taylor was leading her normal, busy, and active life when she was very sadly given the devastating diagnosis that she had stomach cancer.
