Super support from Centerprise International for Ark Cancer Centre Charity

Ark Cancer Centre Charity trustee Merv Rees (front, second right) and Mark Jones, Ark Cancer Centre Charity Director of Fundraising and Communications (front, second left) with members of the Centerprise team, including chairman Rafi Razzak (front centre). 

STAFF at award-winning Basingstoke-based Centerprise International have pledged to use their money-raising muscle to help fund a unique local cancer treatment centre.

Employees at the top-performing IT company, based on Hampshire International Business Park in Chineham, have voted to support three charities in 2016 – and 80 per cent of their fundraising will go to Ark Cancer Centre Charity.

The charity is raising £5million towards a cancer treatment centre that will help and support people in the Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (HHFT) area. 

The £5m appeal will ensure a range of support services and complementary therapies are available alongside chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments in a calm and uplifting environment.

The new centre is earmarked for a location in the Basingstoke and Deane area, and if the preferred site near to Junction 7 of the M3 is approved, it will be easily accessible to everyone in the HHFT region. The centre is scheduled to open at the end of 2018.

Sam Lailey, Group HR and Support Director at Centerprise International, said the company’s charity committee and staff will be delighted to support Ark Cancer Centre Charity, Help for Heroes, and MCCH, which helps people to manage mental wellbeing challenges, during 2016. 

Sam said: “These are three very good causes, and the team are looking forward to taking on various fundraising activities to support them.”

Group Finance Director Sharon Allen will be kicking off the fundraising for Ark Cancer Centre Charity in a big way when she loses her locks for Christmas by taking part in a sponsored head-shave on December 23.

Sharon, who has already drummed up more than £4,000 in sponsorship support, said: “I'm never going to climb a mountain or run a marathon but I can do this simple thing to raise money for a fantastic charity.”  

To mark the launch of Centerprise’s year of fundraising, Ark Cancer Centre Charity trustee Merv Rees visited the company’s offices to thank chairman Rafi Razzak and his staff for their support, and to tell them more about the charity and cancer treatment centre project.

Merv said: “I am very grateful to the Centerprise team for choosing Ark Cancer Centre Charity as one of their good causes to raise money for in 2016. This significant show of support will help to raise vital awareness of, and funds for, the charity appeal and cancer centre project.”  

For more information about the Ark Cancer Centre Charity, please visit: www.arkcancercharity.org.uk