Bright Red, a dedicated blood cancer support charity, is celebrating after its corporate partnership with Newcastle-based independent chartered accountancy and business advisory firm UNW was extended for a second year.
Based in the Northern Centre for Cancer Care at the Freeman Hospital, Bright Red aims to improve the lives and treatment of people with blood cancer across the north of England. Through care, research and education, the charity strives to beat illnesses such as leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma myelodysplasia and myeloproliferative diseases.
Previously known as Marrow and Stem Cell Transplant 2000, Bright Red has supported haematology treatment and research within the north of England since 1988. Its investment of over £6 million into haematology has seen diagnosis, treatment and research within the region go from strength to strength. The north of England now has the second largest bone marrow transplant centre within the UK, treating an increasing number of patients from outside the area.
Through its employee-led Charity and Communities Committee, UNW regularly raises funds for its chosen ‘Charity of the Year’, with donations being match funded by the firm; previous beneficiaries have included Maggie’s Newcastle, Gosforth-based Smile for Life and MSRRF, based in Morpeth.
A record-breaking £16,000 was raised in the first year of UNW’s partnership with Bright Red, surpassing the firm’s previous highest annual total by more than £2,000. The funds were generated through a variety of initiatives throughout the year, including a demanding Northumberland Six Peaks Challenge walk in September 2023, a hotly contested bake-off competition in May 2024, and regular office sweepstakes and quizzes.
Anne Hallowell, Audit and Assurance partner at UNW, said: “We have thoroughly enjoyed supporting Bright Red and are delighted to have taken the partnership into a second year. As a firm we have always had a genuine commitment to supporting local community and voluntary organisations, with more than £100,000 being raised by our teams in the last decade. This commitment not only benefits those we support, but the personal development of our colleagues too.”
Lisa Saxton, Charity Manager at Bright Red, said: “We are immensely grateful for UNW’s decision to continue their support for a second year. Raising such a significant amount of money in just 12 months is truly remarkable and has greatly increased awareness of the vital work we do. The generous proceeds directly benefit patients diagnosed with blood cancer and their families across the north of England, allowing us to expand the range of support and services we can offer. We look forward to seeing the exciting initiatives UNW has planned for the next 12 months and the continued positive impact this partnership will have on our beneficiaries.”
