Nearing the Close of Leg 2 of the Expedition, Bristol2Beijing Surpasses New Fundraising Milestone and Names Next Regional Partner Charity
(Bucharest, Romania) 4th November 2020
Luke Grenfell-Shaw and the Bristol2Beijing team are thrilled to announce that a generous community of more than 850 individual donors has helped raise more than £10,000 for each of the four expedition partner charities. Both Teenage Cancer Trust and CLIC Sargent provided unparalleled support for Luke during his treatments, while Trekstock and 5k Your Way, Move Against Cancer harness the power of exercise to help people with cancer. These four charities have been with Bristol2Beijing from the start.
From a roadside coffee shop in Romania, Luke added, “It brings me great joy to be partnered with such extraordinary charitable organisations that provide unparalleled support and hope for people who are facing up to living better with cancer. In a year where charity fundraising has been undermined by so much uncertainty, it’s wonderful that the Bristol2Beijing family is able to help sustain the critical support services that they each provide for their communities.”
“Wow, £10,000,” said Lucy Gossage, co-founder of 5k Your Way, Move Against Cancer in her guest blog. “We are speechless. Thank you SO much to Luke and the Bristol2Beijing team for your fantastic support. The funds you have raised have allowed us to employ a full time manager, and, when the time is right to re-launch, the post-COVID 5KYW initiative will be even better than the pre-COVID 5KYW initiative.”
“2020 has been a tough one for charity fundraising efforts, CLIC Sargent included,” said Jenny Mullen, CLIC Sargent’s fundraising engagement manager for Bristol. “Our income is falling and a lot of our usual fundraising activities have been put on hold, but cancer doesn’t stop for coronavirus, and our services are needed now more than ever. £10,000 will make a HUGE difference to so many young people with cancer and their families. We are so grateful for the Bristol2Beijing community’s continued support and we are proud to be part of this amazing expedition. You are an inspiration to us all!”
Emma Cullingford, head of fundraising at Trekstock said, "We could not be more thankful to Luke, his incredible team and fellow CanLivers who have helped support our small charity during this challenging time. Everyone at Team Trekstock is immensely grateful for each donation and supporter of Luke's Bristol2Beijing fundraising challenge. Most importantly, it's Luke's incredible attitude towards life and his CanLive spirit that has really made this possible. Keep going, Luke!"
Debbie Jones, senior relationship manager at Teenage Cancer Trust said, “We have been so inspired by Luke’s Bristol2Beijing expedition and his message of hope and positivity for young people living with cancer. The funds raised by Luke are helping us continue delivering our vital support to young people, at a time when they may be feeling more isolated and uncertain than ever before. Cancer isn’t stopping for coronavirus, and neither are we. We’d like to say a huge thank you to Luke for helping us to be there for young people with cancer throughout this crisis, and beyond.”
As Luke and his tandem named Chris approach Moldova, they will make their way north to its capital city, Chișinău, the official end of Leg 2 of the Bristol2Beijing expedition. Since crossing the English Channel, Bristol2Beijing is proud to be working with World Child Cancer as a regional partner charity. One fifth of funds raised during this leg of the journey support World Child Cancer’s partnership in Kosovo, Care for Kosovo Kids, which Luke visited last month.
Leg 3 of the expedition will begin in Chișinău and, some 5,500 kilometres later, is expected to conclude in Bukhara, Uzbekistan. Luke and the Bristol2Beijing team are pleased to welcome a new regional partner charity for this segment of the journey, ChildAid to Eastern Europe. ChildAid to Eastern Europe works with local partners in Belarus, Moldova, Siberia and Ukraine to create life changing hope and opportunities for children living with disabilities, orphans, those living in vulnerable families and those living with the consequences of conflict. Further details about the partnership will be released once Luke and Chris arrive in Chișinău.