A Shropshire care company is hosting a prize draw and bake sale to raise funds for a blood cancer charity.
The event will be held on December 8 at Oakengates Cooperative Society, which has provided all of the ingredients for the bake sale, as well as a hamper for the draw.
Sentinel Care Services in Telford, which is organising the event, is now asking people to help out with baking items to be purchased on the day for a donation and a chance to win prizes for the grand draw.
They are also taking cash donations in the fight against blood cancer.
Managing director Steve Harris said the fundraiser would help Bloodwise, a charity which funds research and offers support to anyone affected by blood related disorders, and to raise awareness of Fairtrade products and Telford’s status as a Fairtrade town.
The charity is close to Steve’s heart as he is battling Myelodysplasia, a blood cancer known as MDS, which causes a drop in the number of healthy blood cells.
He said: “Not many people realise that 14,000 people die each year in the UK from blood cancer and related disorders – that’s 38 people a day! It’s the third biggest cancer killer and the fifth most common cancer.
“Bloodwise do a marvellous job but there is never enough funding and it’s important that people do what they can to help this most worthy cause.
“With this in mind we will be hosting a prize draw and bake sale on Thursday, December 8, and would ask anyone who can to help us make it a special day and raise as much money as possible.
“We are asking people to bake something using Fairtrade ingredients for donations, or donate a prize which we can add to our list for the prize draw.
“We are also keen to hear from anyone who would like to donate money for the cause.
“I would like to thank everyone who has got involved already by donating funds or prizes – their efforts are much appreciated.
“We already have some fantastic prizes on offer, including tickets to Ironbridge Gorge Museums, a stadium tour of the Celtic football ground, a family ticket to the Black Country Living Museum and a meal for two at the Buckatree Hotel.
“We are also hoping that some of our customers might be able furnish us with old family recipes that can be used for the bake sale.
“There is a wealth of experience among our customers and this would add something very special to the day.
“Many of our customers at Sentinel Care Services have experienced blood cancer or know someone who has, so it seems fitting that we should get involved and try and help as best we can.”
People who want to donate to the raffle prizes can contact Sentinel Care Services by calling 0845 1298157 or emailing admin@sentinelcareservices.co.
To make a donation and enter the prize draw, go to www.virginmoneygiving.com/sent
Bloodwise say there are 230,000 people living with blood cancer in the UK and 38,000 are diagnosed each year – that is one every 14 minutes.
Steve Harris (left) and Sentinel Care staff getting ready for the charity event.
