Arco, the UK’s leading safety company, that employs over 1,500 people nationally, is celebrating after having raised a quarter of a million pounds for Macmillan Cancer Support.
The company, based in Hull, with centres across the country, has baked, hosted quizzes, ran and hiked, among many other things, to support people living with cancer and to reach this incredible fundraising total.
The fifth-generation family-owned business holds fundraising for Macmillan close to their hearts; having lost family member and Joint Managing Director Jo Martin to breast cancer in 2008. Jo founded the company’s Charity Committee in 2003 and championed the Macmillan Coffee Morning as a fundraising cause for all Arco colleagues to join in and be part of, across all the company’s locations in the UK – something that continues to this day. Following Jo’s death, fundraising continued via a charitable trust in Jo’s name, which supported local cancer causes, including Macmillan’s presence at Castle Hill Hospital, Cottingham.
Stephen Martin, Vice-Chairman at Arco, said: “Reaching the £250,000 goal is a significant and deeply personal milestone in our mission of supporting Macmillan that stands as a tribute to Jo’s memory and her unwavering compassion for others. Our collective efforts have fuelled research and support for those fighting this unrelenting disease and it brings me a profound sense of pride and gratitude to those at Arco that have helped us achieve this milestone.”
Guy Bruce, CEO at Arco, said: “Supporting communities and charities is at the heart of our business and it is clear from the incredible amount we have raised for Macmillan that this commitment runs throughout the company.
“We all genuinely want to make a difference for people with cancer, sadly few of us are untouched by this disease.
“I feel incredibly proud of our colleagues who give so generously and are continually motivated to make the world a slightly better place.”
Arco offices across the country pushed their fundraising effort before Christmas to reach their target of £250,000. The phenomenal fundraising amount was boosted by over £15,000 being raised last year alone, this included Arco’s Great Annual Raffle, with prizes including a week’s annual leave, Christmas hampers and shopping vouchers.
Fiona Gavaghan, Macmillan’s Fundraising Manager, said: “I have been blown away by the generosity of spirit I’ve witnessed at Arco, everyone goes above and beyond to give up their time and money for people living with cancer.
“Arco has raised enough money to fund a Macmillan nurse for over four years or provide over 700 Macmillan grants to help people living with cancer with heating bills – this amount has had a huge impact on the support we’re able to provide for people.
“On behalf of Macmillan I want to thank every Arco employee who supported the fundraising; if you bought a raffle ticket, baked a cake or hiked up a mountain you helped make life a bit better for people with cancer.”
Anyone diagnosed with cancer can contact the Macmillan Support Line seven days a week on 0808 808 00 00 or visit the Macmillan website :www.macmillan.org.uk