Press release - 16th April 2009
Housing units staff spearhead cancer treatment equipment push
Housing Units’ Nick Fox with staff at The Christie’s Haematology and Transplant UnitThey have every manner and design of chair, sofa and bed to lie back on, but staff at a home furnishing store in Manchester are instead choosing to leap into action to help patients at The Christie.
Participation in the Great Manchester Run, staff-organised raffles, cake baking competitions, a golf day and a range of other events over the past year, has meant that the director of “Housing Units” Nick Fox was able to hand over a phenomenal £10,350 cheque to the leading cancer centre.
With the money The Christie has been able to buy two new innovative tilting beds and a state of the art hoist for its Haematology and Transplant Unit, all of which make a big difference to patients during their stay.
And it looks like the company’s donation this week will be the first of many. Housing Units has decided to support The Christie throughout 2009 and help raise money for its progressing well new £17 million radiotherapy centre in Oldham.
Construction work is taking shape at the new centre which is due to open for patients in 2010. It will be the first in a network of centres, where local patients will be able to access first class radiotherapy treatment, but much closer to their homes.
Housing Units’ Nick Fox said; “We’re planning to engage Oldham people in Oldham area events that raise funds for crucial pieces of equipment that will change the lives of many local people. Oldham has an above-average rate of deaths from cancer, and a centre in the town would make a massive difference to those people who would otherwise have to travel an hour to south Manchester every day.”
He added; “It’s no secret that The Christie is currently facing some challenges, so we are particularly delighted to be able to help in such a timely fashion. The ongoing challenge for The Christie, however, is the simple matter that few people who have not been touched by cancer – whether personally or through a friend or relative – truly appreciate the importance of fund raising and support, and the impact that even a small amount can have upon the recovery or wellbeing of a cancer sufferer and their family.”
Housing Units – known for its top-hatted doormen - was established in 1947. It is a family-owned furnishings retailer based in Failsworth to the north of Manchester.
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The Christie in Manchester is one of the leading cancer centres in Europe - registering around 12,500 new patients and treating about 40,000 patients every year.
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