The first Crocus Week fundraising drive drew to a close yesterday with thousands of pounds raised for the Telegraph & Argus Bradford Crocus Cancer Appeal.
A wide range of activities took place throughout the week, beginning with a dramatic abseil down the Jury’s Inn hotel in the city centre which raised an estimated £6,000.
Staff at the University of Bradford were among those who took part in the descent, with others completing a coast-to-coast cycle ride, and staff from all departments holding a ‘Wear it Purple’ day.
Paul Singh, sales director for Inprint & Design, based at the university, also took on the Mitie London Revolution cycling event, completing his gruelling 200-mile challenge yesterday.
Victoria Collins, development officer at the university, said: “Crocus Week has been a great success with hundreds of people across Bradford getting involved in fundraising activities.
“I would like to thank everyone who has supported the Bradford Crocus Cancer Appeal, as every donation takes us a step closer to our goal.”
Staff at the 247 Home Rescue call centre in Bradford donned pyjamas and a range of animal onesies to raise money for the appeal, with some taking part in the abseil.
Manager, Sabina Latif said: “A lot of staff here have been affected by cancer, and there is a strong feeling of support for the charity. Events like this keep the appeal in the public eye, and any help we can give, we will.”
Bilton Medical Centre in City Road, Bradford, held a cake and bric-a-brac sale with donations from staff, patients and clothes shops, as well as a ‘Wear it Purple’ day. Practice manager Noreen Rashid said: “We are diagnosing more and more cases of cancer within the practice, which shows the importance of this appeal for Bradford.”
A number of schools also got involved in the week, with Foxhill Primary School and Heaton St Barnabas School holding ‘Wear it Purple’ days, and Crossley Hall Primary School having a non-uniform day.
Events to boost the appeal were also announced with Bradford charity Sports Campaign Against Racism set to host a five-a-side tournament in June, and Shelf Cricket Club organising a 10k walk in August.
The Telegraph & Argus is working with the university, Yorkshire Cancer Research and the Sovereign Healthcare Charitable Trust to raise £1 million for the discovery and development of new cancer medicines at the university's Institute of Cancer Therapeutics.
Visit telegraphandargus.co.uk/ crocus to find out more and get involved with the appeal.